Equality Impact Assessment for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system in Tier 4 of Agricultural Reform Programme

Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture: Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill

The “Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture: Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill” included a question to assist in determining the extent and level of EQIA required such as:

“Are you aware of any examples of how the proposals in this consultation may impact, either positively or negatively, on those with protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation)? Please give reasons for your answer.”

The consultation analysis noted that most responses did not give any examples of how the proposals in the consultation may impact those with protected characteristics.

It noted that some of the specific points were:

• there was a lack of focus on the impacts or inclusion of women throughout the consultation document,
• the impact of additional red tape on those with dyslexia,
• increased technological solutions impacting older people who may not have confidence with technology,
• little detail in the consultation in terms of support for young people,
• insufficient detail in the consultation on the impact of protected characteristics and that analysis needs to take place.

Further to this consultation there was substantial stakeholder engagement through the public consultation with nine in person events throughout Scotland (Inverness, Skye, Aberdeen, Oban, Scottish Borders, Stirling, Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, and Orkney). In addition, five online events designed to ensure that views from across Scotland were heard.