Farmers and crofters will be the new champions
A cohesive, long-term commitment on future agricultural policy is one of the key requirements to get the whole farming industry behind the move towards a greener future.
That was one of the headline messages to come out of the“Champions for Change” initiative jointly launched yesterday by NFU Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
NFUSv ice president, Mar tin Kennedy told the on-line meeting of politicians, environmental bodies and farmers that while many in the industry were already doing great things for climate change, biodiversity and the wider environment, a holistic plan for future farm policy which clearly flagged up how policy would develop was required to allow the longterm planning which was needed within the industry.
The event was aimed at highlight the positive action many farmers are already taking–such as creating woodland, targeting pesticide and fertiliser inputs and restoring peatlands – and champion the changes that are needed in future.
Covid had scuppered the original plan to hold an
‘alternative’ farmers’ market at the Scottish Parliament, at which the stalls would lay out the many services provided by the farming sector for which there were no market returns in order to gain better recognition for the wider environmental benefits provided by the industry which went beyond food production.
But the public goods such as access to land, flood prevention, biodiversity enhancement, water and air quality, carbon sequestration and other climate change mitigation measures were outlined at the video-conference.
“We believe that farmers and crofters will be the new Champions for Change. To secure this positive future, we are agreed that we need to see action from the Scottish government in terms of clarity on future agriculture and land management policy, and the delivery of environmental and productivity outcomes,” said the organisations.
“This action should include commitments to fairer, longterm funding for schemes that deliver tangible biodiversity and climate benefits, and a focus on investing in natural capital and genuine environmental improve - ment, thereby supporting the rural economy so it can play a key role in delivering a green recovery from Covid-19.”
And the meeting heard that many approaches, such as a wider uptake of soil testing could benefit both farm productivity levels and the environment.
Questioned as to the Scottish government’s focus on climate change while the broader issue of biodiversity appeared to be sidelined, Mairi Gougeon MSP, minister for rural affairs said that, here too, the targets being set were mutually beneficial for both climate and biodiversity.
But farmer and SW T council member, Carey Coombs said that the public should also understand that biodiversity was not just about the fluffy squirrel which adorned the front of nature magazines – but that it also included getting a wider recognition for the key role which was played by the life of microorganisms living in the soil.
The event will be followed up by the release of a series of case studies.