How farmers can help to restore Scotland’s nature

Technological advances over the past 50 years have seen agricultural production and management become increasingly fruitful and efficient – but at what cost?

Tractors are bigger, farmers have improved their techniques when it comes to harvesting crops, spring crops have largely changed to winter crops, and increased use of fertiliser and pesticides have knock-on impacts on insects and the wildlife that feed on them.

In the past, birds would rely on spilt grain left over from the harvest, but now, thanks to advances in farming technology, spilt grain is less common, so that vital food source has been removed.

Indeed, there have been many – some fairly small – farming efficiencies that have been introduced gradually over the past few decades, but they have all built up. And it’s having a serious knock-on effect on nature in Scotland, across the entire countryside.

But NatureScot believes there is a way to sustain farm yields, while allowing nature to flourish.

Claudia Rowse, NatureScot’s deputy director of sustainable growth, says: “Farming covers 70% of Scotland’s land, so it has a huge part to play in restoring Scotland’s nature.

“Over the last 50 years, many natural habitats and food chains that are essential for nature to survive have been lost from the farmed landscape.

“In the next 50 years, I hope we will look to agroecology to develop effective agricultural production and management systems which work with nature.”

For the past five years, the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS), run by the Scottish Government in partnership with NatureScot, has invested £200 million into the work of land managers to provide vital support for biodiversity.

AECS is not without its faults, however, as Claudia explains: “There are instructions farmers must follow in order to meet the conditions of the scheme and, as farming procedures largely depend on the weather and local growing conditions, it can sometimes be unrealistic to expect these conditions to be met.

“We recognise that the scheme can become overly bureaucratic and difficult to audit – are people actually doing the things they said they would do? Its inflexibility does not always suit a dynamic natural ecosystem, but it is making a positive difference for nature.”

Without the crucial support offered by AECS, nature would be far worse off; it has not stopped the decline, but it has helped to retain some of Scotland’s iconic farmland wildlife. It has also provided vital financial support to more than 3,000 farmers and crofters who take part in the scheme.

Looking ahead after Brexit, NatureScot is beginning to work with farmers, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to discern what new support could look like.

All those involved have one simple question in mind: How can we help farmers to protect nature in a way which is simpler for them and still allows for efficient and sustainable food production?

If you are a farmer, crofter or land manager and you wish to get involved with the schemes discussed, visit nature.scot for more information, and to make your voice heard.