The Scottish government has published new research to help develop an approach to Scottish agricultural policy – stating that the country must “now forge its own path” in the agriculture sector post-Brexit.
Published on Tuesday (August 29), the twelve written reports provide evidence reviews, analysis, summaries and expert briefings on agriculture in Scotland to shape future policy.
The collaborative research effort included staff from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the James Hutton institute, Pareto Consulting and ICF.
The research was commissioned by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services and has already been considered by the Scottish government’s Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB).
Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, who is co-chair of ARIOB, said: “As a result of Brexit, Scotland must now forge its own path and develop a farming support system that is both practical and sustainable.
“We remain fully committed in our efforts to develop a new framework that emphasises high quality food production and encourages farming methods that will help tackle the twin biodiversity and climate crises.
“I’d like to thank all of the researchers for their diligent work on such a crucial project. This analysis is already yielding results and I have no doubt it will continue to inform our decision-making in the future.”
President of the National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS), Martin Kennedy, said: “To make the right decisions and secure the desired outcomes from Scotland’s future agricultural policy, we must have accurate facts, figures and analysis.
“We welcome the publication of these reports, as they provide a stronger, more robust evidence base around which crucial decisions on the future of our industry can be based.
“With the reports in the public domain, their content opens up the debate about what Scottish agriculture needs from the future support framework that will follow on from the forthcoming Agriculture Bill, about to start its passage through the Scottish Parliament.”
Lead researcher, Prof. Steven Thomson of SRUC, said the project enabled the SRUC team of experts to work closely with the Scottish government to establish where there was emerging evidence and analytical data gaps as Scottish agricultural policy evolves.
“It is a hugely complex jigsaw puzzle that requires a deep understanding of the industry, current support structures and evolving Scottish government priorities to consider and advise on the trade-offs that will likely be required,” he said.
