Limited range of agri-environment measures announced for 2023
NFU Scotland has welcomed the announcement that 680 rural businesses with projects that protect the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change will share more than £14 million this year from the 2022 Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS).
In addition, the Scottish Government has announced that this year’s £5 million Agriculture Transformation Fund (ATF) will extend support for slurry storage. Seeking support for slurry storage has been a lobbying priority for NFU Scotland as farmers and crofters prepare their businesses to meet the requirements of The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021.
Scottish Government also announced that the forthcoming round AECS will target and support its ambition to double the amount of land under organic management by 2026. That sees popular measures that supported improving public access, bracken control, drystone dyke maintenance, muirburn and heather control no longer eligible. Support for hedgerow creation is also capped.
Director of Policy Jonnie Hall said: “AECS continues to play a fundamental part in supporting Scottish farmers and crofters in delivering our response to climate change and biodiversity loss. We welcome the announcement of 680 successful applications under AECS 2022 sharing some £14 million.
“The opening of AECS 2023 has seen our concerns that budgets and measures would, once again, be pared back realised.
“While there’s a strong emphasis on organic conversation to help meet the target of doubling Scotland’s area of farmland under organic production, a number of popular elements have been removed - including improving public access (IPA), muirburn and heather cutting, restoring drystone or flagstone dykes, and bracken control.
“This is disappointing as such agri-environment actions can deliver significant benefits without overcomplicated and costly prescriptions. That also applies to the new cap being applied to the creation of hedgerows option of 500 metres.
“The absence of improving public access is a significant blow, given the ongoing need to ensure safe and responsible access for all those that want to enjoy Scotland’s rich and varied landscape.
“Moreover, there doesn’t appear to be any commitment on the levels of funding that will be available for AECS 2023, but it’s apparent from the pared back options that funding levels, when announced, are likely to disappoint.
“On a positive note, we have been lobbying for dedicated funding to be made available to support storage for slurry and digestate so we welcome the dedicated ATF funding for this. The £5 million, to be accessed via existing AECS routes, is a significant step towards helping a significant number of businesses to sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve efficiency through the period of transition to meet the requirements of The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021.
“Whether this will be sufficient funding remains to be seen. However, it is clear recognition that ambitions to reduce emissions cannot come at the cost of eroding and dismantling important food producing businesses critical to the economic prosperity of challenging locations, such as the Kintyre milk field.”
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Contact Bob Carruth on 07788 927675