National test programme on track

The first phase of Track 1 of the Scottish Government’s long-awaited National Test Programme- which marks the benchmarking portion of the policy move to sustainable production – will open for business on May 9.

Revealing some of the details of the scheme, rural affairs cabinet secretary, Mairigougeonsaidthatthe processwouldhelpproducers prepare to meet the conditionsoffutureagriculture policy and support.

She said that farmers could access the newly published guidance on-line for details of the financial support whichwouldbemadeavailable for activity aimed at improving awarenessoftheclimateperformanceofindividualbusinesses.

However, while NFU Scotland welcomed the support for undertaking carbon audits, it has become clear that the £500 available for carrying out the task would be limited to those who did not already have one or where the existing audit was more than three years old.

But with the second element of the scheme – the Soil Analysis and Development Payment - requiring the completion of such an audit, many already undertaking such work – including those who had been involved in the Beef Efficiencyschemeandwho routinely completed carbon audits as part of a supply contract – would have to pay for their own audits.

Conditional on having a carbon audit which meets thepas2050standard,support will be available for soil samplingandanalysisatthe rate of £30 a hectare, payment being limited to onefifthoftheregion1landarea claimed.

A prescribed set of tests – including ph, phosphate, potash and carbon levels would also have to be included in the analysis.