Business and Policy May 2026 – Policy Brief

Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) 2025 payments

The SSBSS 2025 individual animal payment rates have been calculated and are as detailed below: 

• Mainland: £127.20 per animal 

• Islands: £175.90 per animal 

Processing of 2025 payments has begun with payments due to start reaching bank accounts from 8 April 2026. 

 

Groceries Code Adjudicator moves to Defra  

The UK Government’s decision to move the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) from the Department for Business and Trade to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) from July 2026 represents a significant step towards more joined‑up oversight of supply chain fairness at a time of growing pressure on food systems. The change is welcomed to better align supermarket regulation with wider agricultural policy and build on recommendations from the Farm Profitability Review. Aligning the GCA with DEFRA is seen as an opportunity to strengthen coordination, share expertise, and create a more consistent, end-to-end framework for fairness across the entire food supply chain.  

 

Crofting and Scottish Land Cout Bill 

The Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill (published 24 March 2026) introduces reforms aimed at supporting crofters by reducing bureaucracy and modernising processes. Key measures include faster transfers of crofts within families, stronger powers for grazing committees, restrictions on separating crofts from grazing shares without consent, and greater influence for crofters over land use. The Bill enhances the Crofting Commission’s enforcement powers, proposes future regulation of owner-occupier transfers, and commits to a wider legislative review within three years. It also merges the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland into a single body to simplify dispute resolution while preserving the court’s distinct identity. Overall, the aim is to create a simpler and more coherent system for resolving land disputes, as supported by stakeholder consultation and public engagement. 

  

Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaw (2025) 

The Cairngorms National Park Authority introduced a seasonal fire management byelaw (approved by Scottish Ministers) banning fires and barbecues in the National Park from 1 April to 30 September each year, mainly to reduce wildfire risk. The National Park is home to precious landscapes, rare wildlife, more than 18,000 people, and a wildfire has the potential to be devastating. Breaking the byelaw could result in a fine of up to £500. There is a suite of resources and materials available on the Cairngorms website to help spread the word. Other public bodies could look to do the same if they have high visitor numbers in the summer, dry landscapes, and are at risk of wildfire incidents. Authorities would need a clear legal basis to introduce such measures, with formal approval from the Scottish Government being essential. In addition, they must be able to demonstrate a genuine need for the legislation—such as heightened wildfire risk, environmental vulnerability, or sustained visitor pressure. A public consultation process would also be expected to ensure that local communities, stakeholders, and other users have the opportunity to provide input.

Relevant Scottish Government Publications and Consultations 

Publications	Publication Date
Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks - latest update	21 April 2026
Monthly UK statistics on cattle, sheep and pig slaughter and meat production	20 April 2026
Labour Market Trends: April 2026 - gov.scot	21 April 2026
African swine fever in Europe - latest update	16 April 2026
The Environment Strategy for Scotland	24 March 2026
Rural Support Plan	24 March 2026

Consultations	Closing Date
Installation and maintenance licences for heat networks	5 June 2026
Communications from Revenue Scotland to taxpayers	15 June 2026

Key Dates

Date	Actions
15 May 2026	The 2026 Single Application Form window closes at midnight on 15 May 2026
15 May 2026	Deadline for supporting documentation to avoid payment reductions.
22 June 2026	Agri-Environment Climate Scheme – Deadline for agri-environmental applications
31 July 2026	Agri-Environment Climate Scheme – Deadline for organic applications

 

Alastair Beattie, alastair.beattie@sac.co.uk