Campaigners seek more support for 'high nature value' farming and crofting
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Environmental campaigners have urged the Scottish Government to give greater financial support to the "high nature value" farming and crofting practices common in the Highlands and Islands.
The call comes amid increasing scrutiny of the environmental impact of current farming practices, with figures released in June showing the sector is now the second largest source of climate emissions in Scotland.
The Scottish Government will soon introduce an Agriculture Bill to create a new system of farm funding, claiming it will help the sector to become more climate-friendly and nature-friendly.
The campaign group Farm for Scotland’s Future – made up of a coalition of environmental groups, and advised by farmers – has said this should include improved support for high nature value farming and crofting.
High nature value farming accounts for 2.3 to 2.4 million hectares of agricultural land in Scotland – around 40-44 per cent of the total farmed land. Mostly beef and sheep farming in upland and marginal farming areas, it maintains rare habitats and supports threatened species as well as producing food.
Forty-three per cent of high nature value farming takes place in the Highland region. It includes mixed grazing using native breeds, which helps to sustain diverse, flower-rich grasslands that in turn support wildlife including corncrakes, butterflies and bumblebees.
High nature value farming is also said to play a crucial role in supporting rural communities.
But the Farm for Scotland’s Future campaign, backed by 40 environmental, farming and food organisations, says high nature value farms and crofts are undervalued and under-supported by Scotland’s current farm funding system.
Deborah Long, chief officer at Scottish Environment LINK, a forum for environmental interests, said: “This year, with the introduction of new Scottish agriculture legislation, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a better system.
"It is vital that rural communities are supported to continue managing the land in traditional ways that support both their continued cultural livelihoods and the environment around them.
"Effective support for high nature value farming will be critical in guaranteeing a just transition for the agricultural sector, and the associated industries and communities it supports.”
Ruth Taylor, agriculture and land use policy manager at conservation charity WWF Scotland, said: “High nature value farming systems are an important part of Scottish agriculture, allowing us to produce food, maintain rare habitats, support threatened species and support our rural communities.
“Farming this way reduces the emissions created in growing our food, while importantly protecting and restoring nature. That’s why we need to see the Scottish Government develop and support this approach alongside those who are already managing the land this way, but don’t benefit from our current system.
“The Scottish Government needs to grasp this opportunity by working with farmers and crofters and environmental organisations to make this work.”
Campaigners say support schemes for those farming in less economically productive areas, where much high nature value farming takes place, do not help farmers restore nature or reduce climate emissions.
The Scottish Government is expected to introduce a new Agriculture Bill this autumn.
The Farm for Scotland’s Future campaign, launched by members of Scottish Environment LINK, calls on the Scottish Government to replace the existing farm funding system with "one that works for nature, climate and people".
