Policy - Latest
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Improving sustainability through innovation
Tackling climate change in farming and food production.
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Farmer-led groups to combat climate change
Making agriculture more sustainable.
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Avian Influenza case
Disease confirmed in birds in Scotland.
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Increase in Agricultural Production for 2020
A National Statistics Publication.
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Supporting sustainable farming
£18 million to improve land and livestock management.
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New housing measures to protect poultry and captive birds against avian flu
Bird keepers should review biosecurity and house birds.
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Werritty Report response
Additional measures to protect birds of prey.
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Farmer-led groups to tackle climate change
More sustainable farming and food production.
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Avian influenza protection measures
Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared in response to cases of highly pathogenic H5N8 in GB and Europe.
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Driven grouse moors - socioeconomic and biodiversity impacts: summary report
A summary report of findings from research into socioeconomic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors and the employment rights of gamekeepers
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Environment, natural resources and agriculture research - draft strategy: consultation
Consultation on a draft strategy for the next cycle of research on the environment, natural resources and agriculture which starts in 2022.
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Pesticide usage: outdoor vegetable crops 2019
Information from a survey of pesticide use on outdoor vegetable crops grown in Scotland during 2019.
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Provisional Results Show Increase in Agricultural Production for 2020
A National Statistics Publication.
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Recycle Week 2020
People encouraged to continue recycling to help the environment.
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Rural role in green recovery
£160 million investment for forestry and agriculture.
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Bee disease confirmed in Perthshire
American Foulbrood found near Blairgowrie.
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Support for aquaculture
Shellfish growers and trout farmers share £3 million
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Supporting agriculture
Farm payment schemes to alleviate COVID-19 pressures.
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Scottish Crown Estate: strategic management plan
Vision and objectives, priorities and policies for the future management of the estate to deliver wider and long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.
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Planning for Brexit
Call to put all available resource towards tackling COVID-19.
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Consumers asked to shop considerately
Behaviour fuelling perception of food shortages.
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Agricultural support underway
£86.2 million of convergence payments now underway.
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New beef sector climate group
Moving to a low-carbon future.
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Moving to low carbon farming
Agricultural Transformation Programme announced.
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Farm payments underway
Investment to support sector.
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Pesticide usage in Scotland 2016: soft fruit crops – revised 2020
Revised report to correct inaccuracies in active substance application weight data that were overestimated in the original soft fruit crop 2016 report published in 2017.
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Less favoured area support
Investment for remote rural areas underway.
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Simplifying CAP
Taskforce recommendations published.
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Alleviating rural hardship
Support for individuals and families.
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Brussels fishery talks
Challenging outcome for the Scottish industry.
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Cereal and oilseed rape harvest: 2019 final estimates
Statistics on area, production and yield of cereals in Scotland in 2019.
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Pesticide usage - rodenticides on arable farms 2018: survey results
Information from a survey of rodenticide use on arable farms in Scotland in 2018.
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Pesticide usage - arable crops and potato stores 2018: survey results
Information from a survey of pesticide use on arable crops and potato stores in Scotland during 2018.
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Pesticide usage - soft fruit crops 2018: survey results
Information from a survey of pesticide use on soft fruit crops grown in Scotland during 2018.
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Pesticide usage in Scotland
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Flooding action plan launched
Protecting communities from extreme weather.
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Rural planning to be prioritised
Review into planning underway.
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Increase in 2019 cereal harvest predicted
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Favourable weather helps farming recover.
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2019
Statistics regarding the area of crops and other farmland, livestock, agriculture workforce and rented farmland.
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Cereal and oilseed rape harvest 2019: first estimate
Initial estimates of area, yield and production for winter and spring barley, wheat, oats and oilseed rape, for the 2019 harvest.
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Increase in employment in Aquaculture
2018 fish farm production statistics published.
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Scottish fish farm production survey 2018
Statistical news release.
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Brexit impact on red meat sector
Export costs to increase.
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Lord Bew’s agriculture funding review
€60 million payout for Scots farmers recommended.
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Action to address climate emergency
New measures announced as Cabinet meets in Stirling.
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Loans offered to farmers early
Funding released to help mitigate impacts of Brexit.
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Review of the environmental and socio-economic barriers and benefits to organic agriculture in Scotland: summary report
Summary report of the research carried out by Harper Adams University, on behalf of the Scottish Government, into the environmental and socio-economic barriers and benefits to organic agriculture in Scotland.
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Review of the environmental and socio-economic barriers and benefits to organic agriculture in Scotland
Report of the research carried out by Harper Adams University, on behalf of the Scottish Government, into the environmental and socio-economic barriers and benefits to organic agriculture in Scotland.
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Tackling climate change
Additional £11 million for peatland restoration.
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Convergence Review
Letter from Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing to Secretary of State Michael Gove about convergence allocations.
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An appetite for education
First Minister announces food education programme.
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Farming and food production
New working group formed.
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Scotland supports its farmers
Poll says nearly 90% of Scots think farming is vital to economic growth.
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Agriculture Facts and Figures
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2017
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Protecting Scotland’s seas
A world first for conservation of marine life.
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Bee disease confirmed in West Lothian
European Foulbrood (EFB) detected in West Lothian colony.
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Farmers to benefit from more land
New entrants to farming industry get help from Scottish Government scheme.
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Farming for a better climate
Driving forward low carbon farming.
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Support for remote rural areas
Less favoured area payments underway.
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Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme
Payments underway ahead of schedule.
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Scottish Farm Business Income at six year high
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Agri-tourism monitor farms
Improving food and farm businesses.
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Weather helps farmers with winter planting
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Scottish agricultural survey: December 2018
Annual agricultural survey results based on data from larger agricultural holdings together with estimates for smaller farms.
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Farming and climate change
Young farmers leading the way.
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Bringing rural policy into the mainstream
Delivering rural commitments.
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Brexit farm compensation
Farming at risk.
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Action against flooding
£713,000 to increase community resilience
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Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2016: BRIA
Business regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (amending SSI 2002 No.541 and transposing EU Directive 2015/412).
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Chemicals and genetically modified organisms: notification to the Scottish Parliament
Notification about deficiencies in legislation due to EU exit in the event of a 'no deal' scenario, and proposed amendments to ensure the law continues to operate.
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LEADER 2014-2020: process evaluation
Initial process evaluation for LEADER 2014-2020 and assessment of its economic, social, cultural and environmental impact on rural communities.
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The Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 (Variation of Schedule 5) Order 2018: business and regulatory impact assessment
Finalised Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for the update of schedule 5 of the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, which covers improvements for which a tenant may be compensated when a tenancy ends.
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Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2018
Statistics regarding the area of crops and other farmland, livestock, agriculture workforce and rented farmland.
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Cereal and oilseed rape harvest: first estimate 2018
Initial estimates of area, yield and production for winter and spring barely, wheat, oats and oilseed rape, for the 2018 harvest.
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Pesticide Usage in Scotland: Outdoor Vegetable Crops 2017
This publication presents information from a survey of pesticide use on outdoor vegetable crops grown in Scotland during 2017.
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Pesticide Usage in Scotland: Grassland and Fodder Crops 2017
This publication presents information from a survey of pesticide use on grassland and fodder crops in Scotland during 2017.
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Pesticide Usage in Scotland: Rodenticides on Grassland & Fodder Farms 2017
This report presents the results of a survey of rodenticide use on grassland and fodder farms in Scotland in 2017.
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New blueprint for Scotland's rural economy: recommendations to Scottish Ministers
The National Council of Rural Advisers' report detailing their final recommendations to Scottish Ministers.
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Together we can, together we will: analysis of consultation responses
This report details the analysis of the National Council of Rural Advisers' (NCRA) consultation.
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Small landholdings legislation: guide to the law in Scotland
There are only a few Small Landholdings left in Scotland and these are governed by complex, historic legislation. This guide summarises key legal elements for those with an interest.
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Bank advances to Scottish agriculture 2018
Results of the survey of bank advances to Scottish agriculture, together with other relevant data regarding loans to agriculture.
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Together we can, together we will: consultation
Consultation by National Consultation of Rural Advisers (NCRA) to help inform recommendations for Scottish Government on future policy direction for the rural economy.
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Scottish agricultural survey: December 2017
Annual agricultural survey based on data from larger agricultural holdings together with estimates for smaller farms.
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Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2017
Statistics on farming in Scotland.
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Bank advances to Scottish agriculture: 2017 survey results
Results of the survey of bank advances to Scottish agriculture, together with other relevant data regarding loans to agriculture.
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Small landholdings in Scotland: legislation review
Review of the legislation governing small landholdings in Scotland and supporting consultation analysis.
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Scottish agricultural survey: December 2016
Annual agricultural survey based on data from larger agricultural holdings together with estimates for smaller farms.
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Bank Advances to Scottish Agriculture 2016
Annual update of the amount lent to the agriculture sector by the clearing banks and other financial institutions.
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Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: guidance for farmers
Guidance booklets to help farmers to comply with the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
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Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: maps
Maps of the five Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in Scotland.
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Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: grassland derogation application form
Form for applying for a grassland derogation under the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Action Programme (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
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Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: Nmax calculator
Tool for calculating Nmax limits for crop types and for assisting with recording compliance with other key elements of the Nitrates Vulnerable Zone Action Programme (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
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Pesticides: code of practice for using plant protection products in Scotland
The code is aimed at all professional users of plant protection products (pesticides) in Scotland.
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Prevention of environmental pollution from agricultural activity: dos and don'ts guide
A short version of the new prevention of environmental pollution from agricultural activity (PEPFAA) code of practice.
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Prevention of environmental pollution from agricultural activity: guidance
Code of good practice, giving practical advice to farmers and others on minimising pollution.