Scottish farmers have received information on how to start preparing for changes being made to how farm supports are received.
In a letter to those receiving funding issued yesterday (Thursday, July 18), the Scottish government’s Rural payments and Inspections Division said the first changes to agricultural support will come into effect in 2025.
Although the schemes are not changing, some of the things Scottish farmers will have to do to receive support are new.
New conditions will be introduced to Cross Compliance in 2025. These are new peatland and wetland standards which will be added to GAEC 6 – Maintenance of soil organic matter.
These standards will prohibit a range of activities from being carried out on peatland and wetland areas.
These activities include:
- Ploughing and cultivations and reseeding;
- New drainage and maintenance of existing drainage systems that causes further drying out of the peatland;
- Application of pesticides, fertilisers including manure, lime and soil conditioners;
- Creation of new roads and tracks including vehicle rutting exposing the soil;
- Activities that cause damage to the vegetation cover exposing the soil;
- Additionally for wetlands – disruption of connections between rivers/water courses and wetlands (that will lead to the drying of the wetland).
This will apply to land with peat soils more than 50cm in depth with a near natural vegetative cover and also to wetland habitats.
SSBSS
Calving interval is a key efficiency measurement for beef production, the Scottish government said.
Longer calving intervals mean longer periods when a cow is incurring costs (e.g. feed, veterinary care) and emitting greenhouse gases without contributing to beef production.
From 2025 onwards, calves will only be eligible for a Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) payment if their dam has a calving interval threshold of 410 days or less.
This condition is designed to help balance productivity and profitability with the opportunity to address climate impact of emissions.
The new condition will be measured on an individual animal basis not on herd averages. Offspring of cattle with an established calving interval of more than 410 days will not receive a payment.
The first calves registered to any dam will be exempt from the calving interval threshold, and will remain eligible for payment provided that all other scheme conditions are met.
Scottish Farmers and Whole Farm Plan
The Scottish government said the more you understand about your farm or croft, the more productive and profitable your business can be, and the more you can contribute to Scotland’s climate, biodiversity and emissions targets.
This is the foundation of the Whole Farm Plan.
In 2025, in return for basic payments, Scottish farmers will be expected to have started carrying out plans and audits that are relevant to their business.
They will be asked to confirm on their SAF that they have done at least two of these activities and have them in place by May 15, 2025.
It is up to individual farmers to choose which of these options currently suit their business:
- Carbon audit;
- Biodiversity audit;
- Soil analysis;
- Animal health and welfare plan;
- Integrated pest management plan.
The government said farmers may already have some of these plans and audits in place – through their quality assurance or supply chain contracts, or as part of their normal business planning.
If so, and these meet the minimum standards, they can simply confirm this activity on next year’s SAF.
If they have not done at least two of these activities yet, farmers are reminded that grants are still available, through Preparing for Sustainable Farming, to do carbon audits and soil analysis.
If farmers act now, while support is available, they will be prepared for 2025, the government said.
