Topical Issues
Keeping up to date with the latest developments relating to rural business is important, allowing businesses to adapt to the ever changing environment.
Successful businesses keep up to date on the changing environment and seize new opportunities and prepare for challenges that come their way. Resources will be added as changes are made to the business environment.
The Scottish Government is encouraging business owners and land managers to take advantage of the funding support available to them via the Farm Advisory Service (FAS), to commission an expert review of their business strengths and weaknesses and develop a resilience action plan to safeguard future operations.
Inheritance Tax and Succession
The Autumn 2024 budget changed the rules around inheritance tax. As a result, farmers and landowners are now taking more time to consider succession planning and how it fits in with long term business goals.
Succession planning is an essential part of business management. A basic understanding of the new tax rules will be invaluable when considering different succession options available to you, and mitigating tax liability.
This page provides you with a number of resources and videos to support your understanding of the main changes to the UK tax rules, as well as links to advice and support to help you plan ahead.
Preparing for the Future
As Scotland works towards being a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture a new four tier framework of agricultural support will be launched. The new framework will deliver high quality, local, and nutritious food, while restoring nature and mitigating and adapting to climate change in the transition to Net Zero.
This transition will be a phased approach, starting from 2025 when recipients of farm payments will need to have a Whole Farm Plan in place. This page provides more guidance on the topic.
For specific enquiries or for more information about your options, phone the FAS advice line on 0300 323 0161 or email advice@fas.scot
The Advice Line is open between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday, or you can email anytime. It can provide up to 30 minutes of free advice, from a consultant, on a range of topical issues.
Sign up to the FAS newsletter
Receive updates on news, events and publications from Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service