Agricultural reform: strategic environmental assessment - post-adoption statement

How environmental considerations have been integrated into the strategy

The Scottish Government policy of remaining aligned to EU law where practicable aligns the Vision for Agriculture to the key objectives of the EU CAP. This makes clear Scotland will have a robust and coherent framework to underpin our future agricultural support regime from 2025 onwards, that delivers climate mitigation and adaptation, nature restoration and high quality food production. It is important to ensure that high quality food can be produced in a way that delivers for climate and nature. The Vision established a transformative agenda for public support of farming and food production. It expects that all aspects of future support will contribute towards Vision outcomes, notably that of becoming a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Fundamentally, enabling the essential role of Scotland’s producers in helping to feed the nation and contribute positively to nature and climate obligations.

The Vision made clear that active agriculture will continue to play an important role in maintaining thriving rural and island communities.

The five guiding environmental principles of the Scottish Government are at the core of the Vision for Agriculture:

• Protect the environment
• Anticipate potential environmental impact
• Prevention of damage
• Damage to environment must be repaired
• The polluter should pay

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 18 June 2024 and received Royal Assent on 30 July 2024. This legislation provides the powers required to deliver the Agricultural Reform Programme and realise the ‘Vision for Scottish Agriculture’. Stated in Section 1 of the Act are the objectives of Scottish agricultural policy which are:

a) the adoption and use of sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices,

b) the production of high-quality food,

c) the promotion and support of agricultural practices that protect and improve animal health and welfare,

d) the facilitation of on-farm nature restoration, climate mitigation and adaptation, and

e) enabling rural communities to thrive.

These objectives by their very nature integrate environmental considerations into all future policy.