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Farmers and Crofters Call for Cohesion and Direction on Biodiversity Policy

NFU Scotland remains extremely disappointed at the lack of direction and cohesion from Scottish Government on what actions farmers and crofters will be expected to undertake as key stakeholders in addressing biodiversity loss and protecting the natural environment.

NFUS submitted a thorough and wide-ranging response to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy consultation back in September and it has continued to engage with the Scottish Government ahead of the next draft of the strategy being published. This is due before the end of the year. 



NFU Scotland is also awaiting the publication of Scottish Government’s Natural Environment Bill which is due next year, and which will set statutory nature restoration targets. 

However, it is the proposed Agriculture Bill for Scotland that will be the means of delivery with 70 percent of Scotland’s land under agricultural management.

Borders organic farmer Peter Douglas, who chairs NFU Scotland’s Environment and Land Use committee said: “Delivering on biodiversity is something that farmers have done for generations.  As the Scottish Government has declared twin biodiversity and climate crises, it’s critical that our habitats and wildlife are given as much attention as greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration.

“Our members were extremely disappointed at the high-level content of the Biodiversity Strategy in the autumn with a distinct lack of detail on what action farmers and crofters will be expected to take.

“We made it clear in our submission that farmers and crofters are already doing a great deal for biodiversity and this needs to be recognised both in the final strategy, expected soon, and the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill. 

“We will continue to engage with the Scottish Government in 2023 and maintain that for this strategy to be successful food production can and must be at the core of policies to protect and improve our natural environment. 

“In short, the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Natural Environment Bill will set the objectives and targets for 2030 and 2045, but it will be the Agriculture Bill and what is put in place for farmers and crofters from 2025 onwards that will do the heavy lifting. The Agriculture Bill is the real means of delivery.

“This is a very congested policy area – Biodiversity Strategy, Natural Environment Bill, Agriculture Bill, Good Food Nation and more – and right now there is a real disconnect and lack of urgency across Scottish Government and its policy teams.

“If farming and crofting are to play their critical role, then agricultural support, via the Agriculture Bill, must explicitly recognise that active farming and crofting are fundamental to farmland biodiversity.”  

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 07788 927675

Author: Bob Carruth

Date Published:

News Article No.: 110/22


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About The Author

Bob Carruth

A dairy farmer’s son, I joined NFU Scotland in 1999 after 13 years as an agricultural journalist. Following spells as a regional manager and policy lead on milk, livestock and animal health and welfare, I became Communications Director in 2008.

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