After receiving the results of his annual soil testing regime which this year included a carbon assessment, NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy reflects on the important role Scotland’s farmers and crofters are playing in keeping the nation fed, while conserving Scotland’s landscapes and protecting biodiversity. Martin writes:

So, my test results are in and I am positive. Please do not be alarmed! I have been waiting on these results for some time, and I am extremely pleased with them - more on this later. However, I am absolutely furious about the fact that yet again we see the environmental NGO’s giving agriculture a kicking for the damage we are doing to our land. 

There may indeed be a biodiversity crisis in some parts of the world, and I absolutely agree that there is still more we can do at home, but Scotland is in a fantastic position globally in terms of how it looks after the environment whilst at the same time producing some of the best food you could ask for. 

I took two photos last September, one from the south side of the Tay looking west and the other from the north side of the Tay looking east. For as far as the eye can see in both pictures agriculture has shaped, maintained, and enhanced the environment as it has for hundreds of years. Both photos cover areas that include almost every sector of commercial agriculture in Scotland: malting barley, seed potatoes, fruit and veg, pigs, poultry, beef, and sheep. In fact, I think the only sector that is just outside their scope is dairy! The point being that without commercial agriculture being carried out profitably in Scotland, we certainly would not be looking at landscapes such as these. 

I must also mention the massive value that shooting brings to Scotland, not only because of the economic return it brings to rural areas, but also because gamekeeping plays a massive part in keeping predators under control which in turn allows much of the fantastic biodiversity we see to flourish. This is all provided for by private investment with no cost to the taxpayer. 

So back to my results - for too long farmers have been told that we are depleting the carbon stocks in our soils. I am no scientist so I could not argue, but I wanted to know the truth. So, this year when we did our annual soil testing over 20% of the farm, we asked to have the carbon measured too. Over 8 fields we took 26 cores every half hectare with GPS sampling. Using the most up to date scientific analysis the lab reports then gave us the results for every field. To give you an idea, the target guideline for carbon in our soils should be around 3%. Our lowest was 4% and the highest was 6.3%, meaning that some of our fields were not only way above the norm - 3 of them were actually double it. There are many parts of the world that could not get close to 0.5%, let alone the guideline of 3%. 

The thing that pleased me the most was 5 out of the 8 fields tested had been in an arable crop in the last five years and were now back to grass. This means that good crop rotation is certainly not detrimental to our soils. Something our ancestors who did not study politics nor did a degree in some fancy science knew anyway. 

Doing this carbon assessment of our soils gives us the accurate reading of how our farming practices here in Scotland react with the carbon levels in our soils - our biggest carbon sink. Carbon audit calculators are improving though they still have a way to go to be really accurate in terms of sequestration. This test which is now available through track one of the National Test Programme gives us the opportunity we have been waiting for to look at the true end result of sequestration in all forms of agriculture. I am convinced this will highlight how good farming practice, which in many areas of Scotland also includes livestock production, contributes positively to our ability to produce food in a sustainable way without the need to reduce production. 

I would ask everyone to get involved in this process, so that for once we can use accurate data to put forward the scientific facts, instead of continually having to defend our fantastic industry from those who have ulterior motives. The funding is now there, let’s use it. 

So back to the main thrust of this blog - environmental NGO’s want future agricultural policy to be completely turned on its head, and to focus support mostly on the environment rather than on food production. This is EXTREMELY dangerous for the following reasons: 

I am not prepared to take the responsibility for us not being able to produce food. I have highlighted that we can already do this sustainably here in Scotland, and we may in the future also need to produce for other countries too. 

If as a result of pressure from those making policy decisions who do not understand the industry, we are forced to contract our agricultural output at a time when millions around the world are starving, I sincerely hope that the decision makers have a clear conscience. 

Let us hope common sense prevails and we can continue to enjoy good food and an environment that is the envy of so many.