I’m sure that NFUS members will be aware of the Future Farming Investment Scheme, commonly known as FFIS. Last year saw the inaugural round of capital funding and whilst it was initially welcomed, when the results received a mixed response. There were always going to be winners and losers when £70 million was applied for and there was £20 million available. It is important that we acknowledge and understand the frustrations voiced. If you are reading this as an unsuccessful applicant, you can contact your local Scottish Government office to understand your result.
Ultimately, we need to focus on what happens next. In a strategic sense, it is important to underline that FFIS cannot be viewed in isolation. Developing future agricultural support remains one of the biggest ticket policy items for NFUS and initial focus has been on budget allocation and development of Tiers 1 and 2. It has been said that FFIS is a pilot for what future Tier 3 elective support could look like. So, making sure that it works to deliver for industry is vital.
Broader context aside, it is important to acknowledge that we share the view that the first round of FFIS could be improved upon. Whilst NFUS was instrumental in securing the initial pot of capital funding, it was, and remains, a Scottish Government scheme. Our role is to make sure that our members’ views are at the heart of discussions and decision making.
Our priority at NFUS has been to secure another round of funding to ensure that our members can make valuable capital investments. It was fantastic to receive confirmation in the Scottish Government budget this week that there will be £26 million for Agricultural Modernisation, vital investment for our farming and food and drink industries.
We are seeking the delivery of that through an improved Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) and via grant support for food processing, marketing and cooperation initiatives. We are gathering our members’ views to help inform our lobbying on what 2026 could deliver. We need to hear what our members think about key questions that have come up in the aftermath of the current round. We need to be clear about questions such as should successful applicants this year be eligible to apply again? Should funding be capital, or match? And are the priority groups the right areas of focus?
We will continue to keep our members at the forefront of policymaking on issues that matter. Sharing your views with us ensures that you can be part of making the next round of FFIS better for your business, and you can tell us what you think
in our survey here.