Business and Policy September 2026 – Policy Brief

Bluetongue update 

BTV-3 (Bluetongue Virus Stereotype 3) was first confirmed in Scotland on 8 August 2026. Across Great Britain, the situation is moving quickly, the number of affected premises is increasing, just as the autumn livestock trading period is approaching. A Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) was introduced in south-west Scotland on 20 August. You can check if your premises is affected by using the interactive map. If your farm (or part of your farm) is inside the TCZ, there are legally enforceable restrictions. Livestock cannot be moved to or from premises in the TCZ unless the movement meets the conditions of a licence. Keepers must also maintain an up-to-date inventory of livestock and comply with requirements relating to people, vehicles and biosecurity. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the declaration document. For farmers outside the zone, it is worth checking the official bluetongue case map regularly, particularly if buying or selling stock or arranging movements. From 22 August, animals travelling from Scotland to a bluetongue Restricted Zone must return on the same day. From 10 September, all susceptible livestock moving from a Restricted Zone into Scotland, or from a Scottish Temporary Control Zone to another part of Scotland for breeding/living purposes, must be vaccinated for BTV-3. The control period for this active season is 1 June to 9 September. The dates may change if weather conditions are significantly different from usual or the bluetongue situation changes. Animal keepers should report any suspected cases to The Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) by phoning 03000 600 704.   

For livestock farmers the priorities are: 

• check your movement rules  

• speak to your vet about vaccination  

• know the signs and symptoms  

• check where animals are coming from  

• report suspected cases immediately 

To receive the most up-to-date news, you can subscribe to a free alert service at: APHA animal disease alert subscription service. 

Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease – gov.scot 

Bluetongue: latest situation – GOV.UK 

 

Future Farming Investment Scheme   

The latest Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS) announcement was made by the Scottish Government on 3 August 2026, with the second round of the scheme due to open for applications in winter 2026. A total of £14.25 million will be available, with funding expected to reach at least 712 farming and crofting businesses. Individual grants will be worth up to £20,000 per business, regardless of farm size. The scheme is intended to help businesses invest in items that improve business efficiency and funding will support a range of initiatives, including improving soil quality, creating hedgerows and upgrading livestock management infrastructure. The full list of eligible items has not yet been published and is expected before applications open. Most successful applicants will receive 50% of eligible costs, rising to 60% for businesses in the Highlands and Islands, up to 80% for new entrants to farming, and up to 100% for items delivering environmental and nature benefits.  

BSE in Scotland  

On 19 August a single case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was confirmed in a cow on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The case was picked up through Scotland’s routine BSE surveillance programme. The affected animal did not enter the food chain, and Food Standards Scotland has confirmed that there is no risk to human health from this isolated case. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is investigating the source of the infection, while the animal’s offspring and ‘cohort’ animals have been placed under precautionary movement restrictions. The Scottish Government says the rapid identification of the BSE case demonstrates that the surveillance system is working as intended.  

All animals over four years of age that die on farm are routinely tested for BSE under Scotland’s surveillance system and farmers have a legal duty to report suspected BSE immediately. If you have concerns about an animal, contact your vet and/or your local APHA Office immediately by phoning 03000 600 704. 

 

Organic Farming in Scotland 

Scotland’s organic farming sector is continuing to grow, with 168,200 hectares of land either fully organic or in conversion in 2025 – a 28% increase on 2024 and 62% since 2021, representing 3.3% of Scotland’s agricultural area. Of particular interest is the 52,400 hectares currently in conversion, roughly double the previous year and more than three times the 2021 area, suggesting further growth in organic production is on the way. Fully organic land stood at 115,800 hectares, up 10% on 2024, with permanent pasture and rough grazing accounting for 83% of this area, and 4.3% of fully organic land in Scotland was used to grow cereals. Almost half (49%) of Scotland’s organic land is in the Highlands and Islands, with 24% in southern Scotland, 16% in eastern Scotland, 6.0% in north eastern Scotland, 5.2% in east central Scotland, and 0.2% in west central Scotland. In 2025, there were 34,900 organically farmed cattle in Scotland, representing 2.1% of Scotland’s cattle population. The proportion of sheep and poultry farmed organically was between 2% and 3%. The proportion of pigs farmed organically remained low at 0.2%. 

The full statistical publication with supporting data tables and background information are available at: Organic Farming in Scotland: 2025 – gov.scot 

 

Payment rates set for Basic Payment Scheme and Greening 2026 

Following the annual budget review, the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payment rates that farmers and crofters are set to receive for 2026 have been set with advance payments due to commence in September 2026. 

The rates for 2026 are: 

Payment Region	BPS (£)	Greening (£)	Combined (£)
Region 1	£147.31	£75.78	£223.10
Region 2	£32.40	£12.81	£45.21
Region 3	£9.44	£4.30	£13.75

 

Combined payment rates for BPS and Greening 2026 compared to the 2025 rates: 

Payment Region	2026 Rate GBP (£)	2025 Rate GBP (£)	Difference (£)
Region 1	£223.10	£223.02	£0.08
Region 2	£45.21	£45.27	-£0.06
Region 3	£13.75	£13.72	£0.03

Rates are quoted in GBP (Great British Pound) 

 

Relevant Scottish Government Publications  

Publications	Publication Date
Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease	Updated 26 August 2026
Bluetongue movement restrictions for animals - Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease - gov.scot	Updated 2 September 2026
BSE: how to spot and report the disease	Updated 26 August 2026
Organic Farming in Scotland: 2025	20 August 2026
Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS)	3 August 2026
Payment rates set for Basic Payment Scheme and Greening 2026	25 August 2026

Key Dates

 

Date	Actions
1 September – 30 November	Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme claims submission window
1 June – 9 September 2026	Bluetongue movement restrictions: 1 June - 9 September 2026
15 September 2026	Closing date for applications to the Scottish Pig Producers Support Scheme
15 September – 31 March	Muirburn season dates have changed to 15th September - 31st March.
30 September 2026	Future Farming Investment Scheme 2025 - Evidence submission deadline extended until midnight on 30 September 2026