The Scottish government is urging people to take part in a consultation on its forthcoming Agriculture Bill.
A new Agriculture Bill is expected in 2023 to carry out the Scottish government’s Vision for Agriculture, which was published in March 2022.
The Vision for Agriculture aims to place Scotland as a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.
This consultation, which runs until November 21, covers a range of key themes including:
- High-quality food production;
- Ensuring a fair income for farmers;
- Environmental care with powers and other mechanisms to allow future payments to farmers, crofters and land managers to support delivery of national climate change adaptation objectives;
- Nature restoration and protecting biodiversity;
- Vibrant rural areas;
- Protect food and health quality;
- Fostering knowledge and innovation.
Proposals to ensure Fair Work conditions, including the real Living Wage, are applied to all Scottish agricultural workers are also part of the consultation.
Views are also sought on making subsidy payments that establish minimum standards for animal health and welfare, as well as measures to modernise tenant farming.
The consultation will include a series of online and in-person events to gather the views of stakeholders and members of the public.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon urges people from “all walks of life” to get involved in this consultation as she believes that “these issues affect us all”.
“We are supporting our farmers, crofters and land managers to produce more high quality and sustainable food, as well as ensuring our food system is more resilient,” she said.
“The fact is that high-quality food production is very much a part of meeting [Scotland’s] net zero targets and dealing with the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Views can be given via the consultation online on gov.scot.
