Some 70 per cent of Scotland’s total land mass is farmed in Scotland, of this 86 per cent is classified as Less Favoured Areas (LFA), this equates to more than 5 million hectares of land. For comparison, only 17 per cent of the total farmed area in England is LFA. Essentially, our landscape, dominated by grassland, is heavily impacted by our climate, topography and soils.
LFA is a designation established to provide support to disadvantaged agricultural areas where production is difficult. The natural constraints on these areas make for a lower-than-average production level and a declining population that is dependent on agricultural activity.
Despite the challenges, it is recognised that the agricultural activity of LFA farms and crofts underpin a host of important market and non-market benefits. It is critical to the prosperity and vibrancy of rural economies and their ecosystems.
The Scottish Government is committed to continuing the current disadvantaged support scheme, LFASS, before transitioning to a new support framework. How this type of support will be delivered in the new support framework is still up for debate and decision. Our LFA Committee continue to discuss the future of support with the focus of underlining the importance of active farming and crofting to Scotland’s rural communities, food production and climate.