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Scottish farming will need to rise to the challenges of Brexit and climate change. Image: Ian Rutherford / Alamy
Pastures new: how the twin challenges of Brexit and climate change can provide new opportunities for Scottish farming
When Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced an eleventh hour Brexit trade deal on Christmas Eve, Scottish farming breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Since the vote in favour of EU withdrawal in 2016, organisations such as the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland had warned of the calamitous impact of a no-deal outcome.
The final deal fell some way short of providing frictionless trade, but the EU’s decision to grant third-country listing status to the UK and to approve the export of meat and dairy was crucial, with Scottish red meat exports alone worth £80m annually.
Agri-Environment Climate Scheme to open on limited basis
30 December 2020 |
The scheme promotes land management practices which protect Scotland s natural heritage
Scottish farmers have welcomed the announcement that the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) will open to applications in January, albeit on a limited basis.
The AECS scheme provides vital support to farmers, crofters and those who undertake environmental land management.
It follows a concerted effort by Scottish farming industry bodies to ensure continuity of the scheme.
In November, 11 prominent farming, crofting and environmental organisations called for an urgent decision in favour of continuity for AECS.
Now the Scottish government has announced that it will open a restricted round for new applications on 25 January 2021 and close after an extended application period on 30 June 2021.