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)
Consultation undertaken in respect of Agricultural Reform
Agricultural Reform: General
Details of meetings that have taken place in respect of wider agricultural reform are detailed below.
| When | Who | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| 22/02/2024 | ARIOB: Interim meeting | Overview of NatureScot’s biodiversity app |
| 23/02/2024 | PDG | Discussion regarding group’s role |
| 08/03/2024 | ARIOB: Q1 | Recurring meeting |
| 26/03/2024 | PDG | Tier 2 (Enhanced) discovery phase |
| 03/04/2024 | FAST | Introductory meeting |
| 09/04/2024 | Disadvantaged Areas Working Group | LFASS next steps |
| 15/04/2024 | Whole Farm Plan Steering Group | WFP development |
| 22/04/2024 | FAST | Tier 2 (Enhanced) discovery phase |
| 26/04/2024 | Livestock Chain Advisory Group (LCAG – UK group) | Rural Support Plan |
| 03/05/2024 | FAST | Recurring meeting |
| 15/05/2024 | ARIOB: Interim meeting | Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture |
| 30/05/2024 | Scottish Environment Link | Tier 2 (Enhanced) discovery phase |
| 31/05/2024 | ARIOB: Q2 | Recurring meeting |
| 04/06/2024 | FAST | Recurring meeting |
| 19/07/2024 | ARIOB: Interim meeting | Monitoring and Evaluation framework |
| 03/09/2024 | FAST | Recurring meeting |
| 27/09/2024 | ARIOB: Q3 | Recurring meeting |
| 21/10/2024 | FAST | Recurring meeting |
| 15/11/2024 | ARIOB: Q4 | Recurring meeting |
| When | Who | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
|
13/01/2025 |
ARIOB |
HNV farming |
|
03/02/2025 |
ARIOB |
HNV farming |
|
28/02/2025 |
ARIOB: Q1 |
Recurring meeting |
| 17/03/2025 |
FAST |
Future Operating Model |
|
01/04/2025 |
British Veterinary Association |
Stakeholder engagement |
|
09/04/2025 |
Scottish Crofting Federation |
Scoping |
|
15/05/2025 |
Scottish Crofting Federation | Stakeholder engagement |
|
30/05/2025 |
ARIOB: Q2 |
Recurring meeting |
| 02/06/2025 | PDG | Elective / Enhanced / Complementary |
| 12/06/2025 | FAST | Recurring meeting |
| 05/08/2025 |
Scottish Crofting Federation |
Common grazings |
| 14/08/2025 | FAST | Recurring meeting |
| 28/08/2025 | National Sheep Association | Stakeholder engagement |
| 25/09/2025 | PDG | Policy Principles |
| 26/09/2025 | ARIOB: Q3 | Policy Principles |
| 02/10/2025 | FAST | Policy Principles |
| 06/10/2025 | FAST | Future Operating Model |
| 04/11/2025 | National Sheep Association | Stakeholder engagement |
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024
A public consultation on proposals for a new Bill, “Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture: Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill” was undertaken between 29 August and 5 December 2022. A total of 392 valid responses were received (225 from individuals and 167 from organisations). The in-person and online engagement events were attended by approximately 600 people.
Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill: Consultation
An independent research company, Diffley Partnership, undertook an independent analysis of all responses and feedback received to the online consultation and during the consultation events. A final report was published on 22 June 2023.
Agriculture Bill: Consultation Analysis
Details regarding the passage of the Bill together with associated documents can be found on the Scottish Parliament website.
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website
Agricultural Reform: Specific
2025
Whole Farm Plan
Consultation regarding the Whole Farm Plan was undertaken as part of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) – New Calving Interval
Work was carried out on this proposed change by the SSBSS Reform Stakeholder Group. The proposed change was discussed with the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) and the Scottish Beef Association (SBA). Finally, the intention to implement this change was communicated to scheme applicants in a letter dated June 2025 giving them the opportunity to discuss any concerns with area office staff.
Cross Compliance - GAEC 6 – new protections for peatlands and wetlands
Initial proposals were presented to ARIOB. SEPA and NatureScot contributed to development of the requirements. A number of farmers and crofters were involved in user research during the discovery phase of development. The final draft requirements were shared with NFUS and the Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) for comment/feedback.
2026
Enhanced Greening
The proposals for enhanced greening built on the work by the Farmer-Led Groups (FLGs). There were regular meetings/ workshops with key stakeholders including NatureScot and Scottish Forestry. User research to assess impact and obtain feedback was conducted with crofters, farmers and advisors with the following groups all represented:
- User group 1: those newly required to do EFAs due to exemption changes
- User group 2: those not required to do EFAs
- User group 3: those already doing EFAs
- User group 4: advisors/agents/consultants
Discovery Phase - to identify potential options to enable the Enhanced Delivery Model to be in place for 2026 and to decide on the most suitable option. Engagement was as follows:
Dates by Group(s)
25 March 2024: PDG
22 April 2024: FAST
22 April 2024: NFUS
29 April 2024: SE LINK
29 April 2024: RSPB Scotland
6 May 2024: Agriculture and Rural Development Stakeholder Group (ARD)
Alpha Phase - to specify and develop the proposed changes and access their impact. Engagement was as follows:
Dates by Group(s)
27 June 2024: SE Link
5 August 2024: Academic Advisory Panel (AAP)
27 August 2024: PDG
29 August 2024: Scottish Crofting Federation
3 September 2024: SE LINK, ARD and FAST
27 September 2024: ARIOB
Once developed, the final options were shared for feedback with the following:
- Academic Advisory Panel (AAP)
- Agriculture and Rural Development Stakeholder Group (ARD)
- Food & Agriculture Stakeholder Taskforce (FAST)
- NatureScot
- Policy Development Group (PDG)
- Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
- Scottish Crofting Federation
- Scottish Environment (SE) LINK
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Soil Association Scotland
- The Woodland Trust
Contact
Email: CAP.SRDP.Policy@gov.scot