Academic Advisory Panel minutes: 12 May 2025

Items and actions

Integrating Trees on Farms, and Just Transition Plan for Land Use and Agriculture

1. Introduction 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, introduced new member Professor Alasdair Nisbet from the Moredun Research Institute, and provided an update on actions from the 3 February 2025 meeting.

• actions from 3 February 2025 meeting

• move forward the Just Transition discussion originally scheduled for third quarter to second quarter meeting– discussion has been moved as requested – closed
• invite the Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy to the Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) meetings – invitation issued and accepted - action closed

2. Integrating trees on farms

Integration of trees on farms through shelter belts, reparian strips, individual trees, and agroforestry systems may provide mny benefits including carbon sequestration, climate adaption, biodiversity support, and new income streams for farmers and crofters. Despite these advantages, adoption remains limited due to a traditional divide between farming and forestry. Government funding has typically focussed on woodland creation rather than integrating tress within active farmland. Current schemes, such as the Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) and the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), often do not adequately support low-density or flexible planting.

To guide further interventions that support tree planting, the Panel was asked how the benefits of integrating trees on farms can be maximised to enhance climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and biodiversity. An Advisory Note capturing key discussion points will be presented to Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), and subsequently published on the ARIOB website.

Just transition plan for land use and agriculture

Scotland has committed to becoming a net zero greenhouse gas emitting nation by 2045. To achieve this goal, a transition is required. Both the land use and agricultural sectors will play a fundamental role in achieving this. As part of the Just Transition development within these sectors, the Scottish Government will soon be consulting on a draft Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan (LAJTP). This follows the publication of an LAJTP discussion document in June 2023 and subsequent extensive stakeholder engagement.

Concerns have been raised by small producers, farmers, crofters, and environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) about the fairness and impact of recent changes to Scottish agricultural policy, particularly in relation to funding distribution, and climate targets. Key issues include disproportionate impacts on small producers, inadequate communication of future plans, and broader questions around fairness in achieving a Just Transition toward sustainable land use.

The Panel discussed how the principles of Just Transition could be effectively embedded throughout the wider land use and agriculture sector, both by government and those working within the industry. An Advisory Note capturing key discussion points will be presented to Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), and subsequently published on the ARIOB website.

4. Any Other Business

The Chair asked the Panel to participate in an additional meeting requested by the First Minister’s Environment Council (FMEC) to discuss Value for Money in Agricultural and Environmental Policy Making analysis led by Professor Ian Bateman. Meeting will be organised around June/July.

The next AAP meeting is scheduled for 1 September 2025