NFU (National Farmers’ Union) Scotland has written to Scottish government to enable farmers, crofters and growers to continue to produce high quality food against the backdrop of one of the “most challenging springs” on record.
Agricultural businesses across Scotland, and the many businesses upstream and downstream that rely on them, have suffered as a result of sustained cold and wet weather, according to NFU Scotland.
The letter pointed out that lambing and calving have been extremely challenging for farmers.
The letter also pointed out that the losses, late turnout and additional feeding requirements have resulted in significant financial and emotional pressures for farmers.
In NFU Scotland, arable sectors, cereals and oilseeds businesses have struggled to get spring sown crops established, and were only able to sow in the past week.
Farmers have also seen that the winter sown crops have struggled in some locations due to the persistent rain.
Fertiliser and plant protection product applications, have not been completed. The NFU Scotland stated that this will result in yield and financial losses.
In the short-term, NFU Scotland is asking for:
- A temporary suspension of all farm-based inspection requirements;
- A pragmatic approach to enforcement of environmental regulations, including elements of the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC), the Diffuse Pollution General Binding Rules (GBRs) and the requirements of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZs) Action Plans;
- A temporary derogation from Ecological Focus Area (EFA) Fallow requirements under Greening rules;
- An immediate review of the The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (the ‘CARs’) to allow proactive water course management to protecting agricultural land from flooding risks;
- The creation of beaver ‘exclusion zones’ on very productive agricultural land protected by floodbanks.
In the medium-term, NFU Scotland is asking for:
- The return of £46 million of still outstanding uncommitted funds to the Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) portfolio;
- Of which, £40 million be returned as resource via a top up to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments – equating to a pro rata top up of approximately 9.5% which could be delivered as part of the BPS 2024 payments schedule;
- The remaining £6 million to be spent as capital through a grant scheme open to all agricultural businesses to build resilience to weather extremes.
In the letter, president Martin Kennedy wrote that farming has always been at the mercy of the weather.
Mr. Kennedy stated that it is clear that every agricultural business “must build resilience” in the face of more extreme weather.
He added that the Scottish government should act to help this issue as a productive and resilient sector is key to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of Scotland.
