Rural Support Plan (RSP) - consultation statement
The Rural Support Plan as required in terms of s2 of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 outlining the expected use by Scottish Ministers during the plan period of the powers conferred on them by s6 of the Act - statement describing the consultation as required by s4(5)
Introduction
Following the UK departure from the European Union, the Scottish Ministers have brought into force the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 (ARC Act) and have published the initial Rural Support Plan introducing the Four-tier Framework to deliver support to farmers and crofters and rural businesses and communities as Scotland’s new, tailored, domestic Rural Support Framework.
In terms of section 4(2) of the ARC Act, the Scottish Ministers must when preparing a Rural Support Plan:
“consult
(a) such persons as they consider representative of the interests of
(i) farmers (including tenant farmers), crofters and land managers
(ii) people who live and work in rural communities
(b) Food Standards Scotland
(c) Historic Environment Scotland,
(d) Scottish Environment Protection Agency
(e) Scottish Natural Heritage
(f) the Scottish Food Commission, and
(g) such other persons as they consider appropriate”
In terms of section 4(5) of the ARC Act, the Scottish Ministers, at the same time as laying the Rural Support Plan before the Scottish Parliament:
“must lay a statement describing the consultation undertaken in respect of the plan”
This document is intended to meet that requirement.
Contact
Email: CAP.SRDP.Policy@gov.scot