Rural Business
Agribusiness News January 2025 – 2024 Environmental Roundup
Key policy developments November saw the passing of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill by the Scottish Parliament, outlining a move from annual emissions targets to 5-year budgets, now similar to the rest of the UK. The previous interim target of a 75% reduction in Scottish national emissions by 2030 was scrapped in…
Agribusiness News January 2025 – Policy Brief
Round up of 2024 In March, the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced. It is aimed at how land in Scotland is owned and managed in rural and island communities. Proposals include, in certain cases, prohibiting landholdings over 1,000 ha from being sold until Ministers can consider the impact on the local community. This could…
Agribusiness News December 2024 – Sector Focus: The Trump Effect
By Kev Bevan. On January 20th, 2025, the new Trump presidency will formally start. For at least the first couple of years Capitol Hill will also be controlled by the Republican party, which should be supportive of the President’s agenda. Looking ahead, how might a Trump Presidency influence domestic, European and global agriculture? American domestic…
Agribusiness News December 2024 – Policy Brief
Preparing for Sustainable Farming Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) was introduced in 2022 as part of the first phase of Track 1 of the National Test Programme (NTP). The aim was to help farmers and crofters prepare their farms and crofts to meet the conditions of future agriculture policy and support. With the claim year…
Agribusiness News November 2024 – Policy Brief
Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme The Scottish Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP has confirmed that the 410-day calving interval threshold for eligibility the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme will be kept for the 2026 Scheme year. However, under the Scheme terms and conditions, the calving interval threshold could be reduced by up…
Agribusiness News October 2024 – Policy Brief
Climate Change Bill Published With the call for views closing on the 16th of August 2024, the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill has now progressed to Stage 1 of the parliamentary process. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill seeks to amend the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, in response to the…
Natural Capital – Loch Leven’s Larder
Loch Leven’s Larder is an enterprise with the farm to fork concept at its core, with the farm providing produce to the café and shop. Since 2005, the larder has put community and sustainability at the forefront of its operations, to provide the Loch Leven area a place to enjoy locally sourced healthy food…
Agri Culture – Fred Swift & Stella Stewart: From Sheep to Shop – Increasing the Value of Wool
Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Fred Swift from South Clunes Farm and Highland Clip, and Stella Stewart from Anta. Fred Swift farms South Clunes Farm near Inverness in the Highlands with his wife Sofi and his father. They run a traditional upland farm with cattle and sheep. Fred and his family have transformed the farm…
Rural Roundup – The Whole Farm Plan
Welcome back to the Rural Round-up hosted by me, Kerry Hammond. This show is produced in association with the Scottish Government. On today’s episode I’m joined by George Chalmers & Tiffany Stephenson to talk about The Whole Farm Plan, and what it means for farmers, crofters & smallholders. FAS Resources Preparing For The Future |…
Agribusiness News July 2024 – Sector Focus: Whole Farm Plans
Whole Farm Plans Under the new Agricultural Route Map for Scotland, farmers and crofters will be required to undertake a series of initiatives as part of a Whole Farm Plan if they wish to apply for support payments through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) from 2025 onwards. The initiative has been designed to help farmers…