Crofters invited to Thurso meeting to get help with Whole Farm Plan requirements
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service will hold a meeting in Thurso to advise crofters and farmers about new paperwork required for agricultural support.
SAC Consulting is delivering the meetings across the crofting counties ahead of the introduction of Whole Farm Plans which are being introduced in 2025.
As part of the project, SAC Thurso will deliver a meeting in Thurso on Tuesday, October 8, at 7pm, taking place at the Pentland Hotel.
A spokesperson explained that the future of agricultural support is changing for businesses of all sizes. From 2025, the government’s new Whole Farm Plan (WFP) will be gradually phased in for all businesses which submit a Single Application Form (SAF), replacing the current Common Agricultural Policy.
While crofters and farmers in Caithness and Sutherland will still be eligible for the same schemes as they were last year, they will have to undertake at least two baseline plans or audits by May 15, 2025.
These new measures were outlined in a letter sent out to all businesses in July by the Rural Payments and Services Department.
The Whole Farm Plan is made up of five plans and audits in total:
• Animal Health & Welfare Plan
• Biodiversity Audit
• Carbon Audit
• Integrated Pest Management Plan
• Soil Analysis
Businesses are free to choose which two of the plans and audits to complete for their 2025 SAF and may already have some of them in place through their usual business practice and/or assurance scheme memberships.
However, they will be required to progressively phase in all the parts of the WFP that are relevant to their business by 2028.
Willie Budge, of SAC Thurso, said: “The aim of these meetings is to support crofters and farmers in this period of change, helping them to get ready for the phased introduction of the government’s new support scheme.
“The event will provide information to give people a fuller understanding of what is required for each of the five elements, which parts they may already have in place and how and where to access support with the parts they don’t.”
All crofters and farmers are welcome. For more information or to book your place, visit www.fas.scot/events or contact the Thurso SAC office on 01847 892602.
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme which is funded by the Scottish Government, providing information and resources aimed at increasing the profitability and sustainability of farms and crofts.
The Farm Advisory Service is delivered by SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and Ricardo Energy and Environment on behalf of the Scottish Government under contract arrangements.
