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Future support must be focused on those actively farming and crofting the land, rather than simply the amount of land occupied or controlled, NFU Scotland has said.
As Scotland develops its agricultural support system towards 2030, NFU Scotland is calling for a fundamental shift in how public investment is targeted, putting active farming and crofting at the centre of future support.
The call comes as The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024, the Rural Support Plan and the development of the new support framework towards 2030 give Scotland a genuine opportunity to reshape how public money supports farming and crofting. NFU Scotland believes that opportunity must put active farming and crofting at its heart.
NFU Scotland believes the move towards the new Tier 1 and Tier 2 framework provides an opportunity to build on existing schemes while ensuring future investment is better targeted towards those producing food, managing land and delivering wider outcomes for Scotland.
Director of Policy, Jonnie Hall said:
“The question is simple: who should public money be supporting?
“If we are asking taxpayers to invest in agriculture, that investment must reach the people actually farming and crofting, producing food, taking the risks and delivering for Scotland.
“This is not about cutting support – quite the opposite. It is about making the strongest possible case for agricultural support by ensuring public investment reaches those actually delivering the outcomes Scotland needs.”
NFU Scotland believes existing mechanisms, including Less Favoured Area support, Coupled Support and capital investment schemes, provide building blocks for a future system and can be evolved rather than replaced.
“There is no need for revolution, but there is a need for reform.
“In a constrained budget environment, better targeting can help us make the strongest possible case for agricultural support by demonstrating clearly what public investment delivers for Scotland.
“Food security, productive capacity, viable livestock systems and maintaining farming and crofting in remote areas all matter. Future support needs to recognise those priorities.”
NFU Scotland believes Tier 1 should provide a strong foundation of direct support for active farmers and crofters, with Tier 2 providing additional support for businesses delivering improvements in areas including productivity, animal health, soils, climate adaptation, biodiversity and innovation.
Crucially, Tier 2 must remain an agricultural activity payment, supporting farmers and crofters to deliver these outcomes through their farming businesses.
NOTES TO EDITOR
- A photograph of Jonnie Hall is attached.
- You can read more here.
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Contact Carly Ross on 07860 642826