Sustainable and regenerative agriculture: code of practice

Section 4: Questions and Answers

Who is the Code for?

The Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture is a tool that can be used by any farmer or crofter to help them make decisions on their farm or croft. This will benefit their business and help provide for regenerative and sustainable outcomes, which in turn will also benefit the environment. The Scottish Government recognises that many farmers and crofters are already implementing management actions or measures on their business that may be detailed within the Code. This document is a guideline for anyone wishing to seek more information on ways to farm sustainably and regeneratively.

Why should I farm in a more sustainable and regenerative manner?

Climate change and nature loss pose significant threats to current businesses practices, productivity, and existing crops. The key is to work with nature to build resilience. By farming regeneratively nature will thrive, and climate risks will be better managed for the benefit of farming businesses and wider society.

Many farm businesses are struggling to maintain profitability in the face of escalating input costs. By working with nature, and reducing input costs, farmers and crofters can enhance profitability whilst also delivering for climate and nature.

How do I use the Code?

The Code should be used in a way that works for each individual business. There is no expectation to implement every single management action or measure in the Code rather it can be used to guide farmers and crofters when deciding what sustainable and regenerative practices are best for their farm type.

What do sustainable and regenerative mean?

The Code sets out what Ministers consider to be examples of sustainable and regenerative. No definitions are set in the Act but there are instead explanations of key terminology or “definitions” for the purposes of the Code in the “Terminology” section of this document which provides an understanding of terms that may already have a common understanding. This allows these definitions to be adaptable over time in response to changing practices and as scientific evidence emerges.

Is the Code mandatory?

The Code is not mandatory; it is designed as a useful tool to refer to. It may, however, have legal effect in some circumstances, as set out in “Legal Effect” under Section 6: Background Information below.

Will there be funding available for some of these actions?

Yes, there may be an overlap with some of the management actions and measures described in the Code and funding available via the Future Support Framework. The Future Support Framework is explained further in Section 6 and Section 5 provides links to further support and reading that may be of interest.

How can I get my farm or croft recognised as a Nature30 site?

If all or part of your farm or croft is managed for the benefit of nature for the longer term and you would like to nominate it for recognition as a Nature30 site, please contact your local NatureScot office. They will support you in gathering the evidence you need to show you meet the criteria for recognition as a Nature30 sites. Section 5 provides links to further support and reading that may be of interest.

What are nature networks and how can I build and strengthen the nature networks on my farm or croft?

Nature networks are nature rich areas within the landscape which are linked by a series of corridors and stepping stones of wildlife friendly habitat. Typical corridors would include native woodland alongside rivers and burns which link more extensive woodland areas, whilst stepping stones might be a series of wildflower rich grasslands which allow pollinators to move through the landscape.

All farms and crofts will have some functioning nature networks, so building and strengthening these nature networks will start with recognising what is already there and putting in place management to strengthen them. This may include the creation of new habitats for wildlife, the restoration of degraded habitats by eradicating non-native species or the removal of physical barriers to wildlife moving through the area. Section 5 provides links to further support and reading that may be of interest.