Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme: SEA Pre-screening Notification

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme: SEA Pre-screening Notification

1. Responsible Authority

The Scottish Government.

2. Title of the plan

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme

3. What prompted the plan

(e.g. a legislative, regulatory or administrative provision)

The need for enhanced fit-for-purpose training, education and skills to enable farmers to improve their profitability and to become greener was highlighted by the national discussion on the future of Scottish agriculture in 2015-16. A future strategy for Scottish agriculture of May 2018, recommended that “new policies must include a major increase in knowledge transfer effort, to help the industry reap the benefits of both existing and new research and development on, for example, reducing animal diseases or improving soil organic matter.” It also recommended that “there should be more advice and training, and in particular greater emphasis on business skills, as well as technical farming and land management skills.”

The responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation Agriculture Transition in Scotland: first steps towards our national policy of August 2021, continued to show the importance attached to knowledge exchange, skills development and innovation in agriculture, with most respondents attaching a high level of importance to them. Many respondents described them as vital, critical, salient, fundamental and essential for the future of the agricultural industry.

The consultation asked the question “Should continuing professional development be mandatory for businesses receiving public support funding?”. There were mixed responses over whether CPD should be mandatory for businesses receiving public support. However, half of the respondents to the consultation (49%) agreed that continuing professional development (CPD) should be a mandatory condition for businesses to receive publicly-funded support. Just over a quarter (27%) disagreed, and the remaining ones were unsure (18%) or did not answer (5%). Similar levels of agreement were recorded by individuals (50%) and organisations (46%).

The importance of knowledge and skills to help drive change in Scottish agriculture was reflected in its inclusion in Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture, published in March 2022. It outlined our long term vision to transform how we support farming and food production in Scotland to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. It states that it will work with and alongside farmers, crofters and land managers to ensure that they have the right support to identify and develop the skills needed for regenerative and sustainable farming, changes of land use and adaptation to the changing climate and to encourage co-operative approaches to optimise collaboration and knowledge exchange

In August 2022, the Scottish Government ran a public consultation entitled Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture: Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill. This consultation set out proposals to deliver the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture, including its proposals for skills, knowledge transfer and innovation. On the support for knowledge transfer, innovation and skills development, the vast majority (92%) of those who responded to this question agreed that support should continue to be provided in the area of skills, knowledge transfer, and innovation, while 3% disagreed. Many respondents noted that this support was crucial in order for there to be thriving agricultural and crofting sectors in the future. Support was viewed as vital to attract new entrants into the sectors and encourage new delivery methods, innovative solutions, and activities to be explored through acquiring new skills, and also from learning from other areas. There were also calls for a greater emphasis on continuous improvement.

The resulting Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill was laid before the Scottish Parliament in September 2022. The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed by parliament on 18 June 2024 and received Royal Assent on 30 July 2024.

The Act sets out that Scottish Ministers may make regulations that impose CPD requirements on farmers, crofters, land managers, those who work in agriculture (whether or not as employees) such as farm workers or family members or friends who assist with farming activities or other persons directly or indirectly connected with farming etc or the wider rural economy.

CPD forms part of Tier 4 (“complementary support”) of the Agricultural Reform Programme. Whilst it is a standalone Tier, it also underpins and helps to support the other Tiers. As with the other support in Tier 4, it could help to contribute to the five strategic outcomes of the Agricultural Reform Programme. It could help to support a Just Transition in respect of skills, knowledge exchange, wellbeing and mental health and access to services. It could also help meet short, medium and long-term outcomes of the Agricultural Reform Programme. It could also help to contribute towards the outcomes in the Vision for Scottish Agriculture. In particular this relates to skills and co-operative approaches to optimise collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The Scottish Government does not currently provide a CPD system for farmers, crofters and land manager or others involved in Scottish agriculture, though a number of industry bodies, including AHDB do. However, it does provide a range of support through the Farm Advisory Service, and its range of knowledge activities. There are also opportunities through KTIF – Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund. Skills support is provided for example through the Practical Training Funds, including the Next Generation Practical Training Fund. All of these can be used to contribute to an individual’s CPD. Other organisations across the sector provide a range of activities – including seminars, meetings, farm visits - that can also count towards CPD.

In the autumn of 2026 the Scottish Government is consulting on a CPD system as part of Tier 4 of the Agricultural Reform Programme. The consultation asks a series of questions about proposals for a system, including approaches that could be undertaken and policies. Scottish Ministers have not taken any decisions on the introduction of the CPD system, its approach and policies. The consultation will provide further evidence to inform any decisions that they make on such a system in due course.

4. Plan subject

(e.g. transport)

Agriculture

5. Brief summary of the plan

(including the area or location to which the plan related)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a concept that has been around for a number of decades. It is well-known in some sectors, though less so in others. It is a way to ensure that individuals in a profession update and maintain their skills, knowledge, and expertise throughout their careers.

CPD is about identifying learning and development needs, undertaking different activities to meet these needs, reflection on what has been learned and how it can be put in practice and the next steps forward for learning.

The CPD system is in essence a framework to support personal and professional development. The CPD system would provide specific occupational groups within agriculture and crofting with a framework to record their CPD and participate in a range of CPD activities. The framework would include a CPD portal for recording CPD activities as well as the provision of some CPD activities to be undertaken.

While a CPD system has requirements that are to be met by an individual, they also have some flexibility in how they can undertake aspects of their personal and professional development to meet their needs.

The CPD system would apply throughout Scotland. It would be developed within the timescales for the Agriculture Reform Programme. Progress would be set out within the Agricultural Route Map and the Rural Support Plan.

The CPD system could have a number of benefits. This would be for all individuals engaged in it and more broadly for individuals within a business as a whole, and businesses. It could encourage and facilitate personal and professional development, and improvement in practices, in agriculture, land management and other associated vocational fields. This could enable individuals to keep their knowledge and skills up to date, provide ongoing personal development, help them manage change and transition, help businesses remain competitive, and contribute to the professionalisation of the sector.

Indirectly, it could help to promote the importance of ongoing development and learning, help provide evidence to enable an individual to continue to progress in their career, provide a better career structure in the sector, highlight how knowledge and skills can benefit a business.

As with the other support in Tier 4, it could help to contribute to the five strategic outcomes of the Agricultural Reform Programme. It could help to support a Just Transition in respect of skills, knowledge exchange, wellbeing and mental health and access to services. It could have downstream benefits for the four outcomes in the Programme:

• High Quality Food Production
• Thriving Agricultural Businesses
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
• Nature Restoration.

It could also help meet short, medium and long-term outcomes of the Agricultural Reform Programme. The short-term outcomes include the following:

• Knowledge and skills - farmers / crofters / land managers have improved knowledge of and skills in regenerative, sustainable and efficient practices
• Behaviour change – farmers / crofters / land managers have implemented regenerative and sustainable practices on farms / crofts / land
• Relationships – there could be improved connections / networks between farmers / crofters / land managers
• Workforce – women could have improved opportunities in the sector; there could be improved work readiness and employability of young farmers / new entrants.

It could help to contribute towards the outcomes in the Vision for Scottish Agriculture. In particular this relates to skills and co-operative approaches to optimise collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The policy of the CPD system could contribute to the following national outcomes: we have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy; we live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe; we have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone; we are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society; we respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination.

As noted, Scottish Ministers have not made any decisions on the CPD system.

6. Brief summary of the likely environmental consequences

(including whether it has been determined that the plan is likely to have no or minimum effects, either directly or indirectly)

(a) the degree to which the plan or programme sets a framework for projects and other activities, either with regard to the location, nature, size and operating conditions or by allocating resources;

The CPD system would apply throughout Scotland. It is in essence a framework for personal and professional development. While there would be some activities provided as part of the system, it would be up to individuals, where they are able to, to decide what activities and subjects that they want to undertake.

(b) the degree to which the plan or programme influences other plans and programmes including those in a hierarchy;

We recognise that skills and learning on environmental issues and environmental impacts can be delivered in a number of ways and through different policies and programmes. The CPD system would not have a direct impact on them, as any learning and skills activities that are required to be undertaken would be undertaken through them. However, a CPD system could help to encourage individuals to develop themselves further personally and professionally and have some positive impacts, directly or indirectly.

(c) the relevance of the plan or programme for the integration of environmental considerations in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development;

The CPD system is intended to support personal and professional development. While a CPD system has requirements that are to be met by an individual, they also have some flexibility in how they can undertake aspects of their personal and professional development to meet their needs. Thus, there could be some required elements that could help to address issues around the promotion of sustainable development, or an individual may decide that they want to undertake activities that contribute to CPD in the area of promoting sustainable development.

(d) environmental problems relevant to the plan or programme

The CPD system is intended to support personal and professional development. While a CPD system has requirements that are to be met by an individual, they also have some flexibility in how they can undertake aspects of their personal and professional development to meet their needs. Thus, there could be some required elements that could help to address particular environmental issues, or an individual may decide that they want to undertake activities that contribute to CPD in the area of environmental problems. This could, in essence, be any environmental problems.

(e) the relevance of the plan or programme for the implementation of assimilated law on the environment (for example, plans and programmes linked to waste management or water protection).

The CPD system would not substitute any requirements for environmental knowledge as part of other plans or programmes. This is because CPD is not intended to include activities that are ordinarily undertaken as part of everyday activities. CPD could, however, be beneficially used by an individual to identify a particular skills or knowledge gap and for them to take action to improve them.

Conclusion

It is likely that the CPD system could have positive but minimum effects on the environment either directly or indirectly.

As noted, Scottish Ministers have not made any decisions on the CPD system.

7. Brief summary of how environmental principles have been considered

(including whether any of the guiding principles, as set out in section 13 of the Continuity Act, are relevant to the plan)

(a) the principle that protecting the environment should be integrated into the making of policies,

(b) the precautionary principle as it relates to the environment,

(c) the principle that preventative action should be taken to avert environmental damage,

(d) the principle that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source,

(e) the principle that the polluter should pay.

We have considered the above principles and are satisfied that the plan and proposals do comply with these environmental principles as they support the protection of the environment and that taking of preventative action to avert environmental damage.

As noted, Scottish Ministers have not made any decisions on the CPD system.

8. Contact details

Gordon Jackson, Heather Holmes

9. Date of opinion

John Kerr, 14 September 2026