Agricultural reform: environmental report - strategic environmental assessment
We are reforming agricultural support. This strategic environmental assessment (SEA) environmental report, required under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, highlights the positive environmental impacts of proposed changes to farming and food production.
Chapter 7 Conclusion and next steps
Conclusion
The emerging Agricultural Reform is identified as delivering a range of positive environmental effects across the SEA objectives.
The Draft Environmental Report will be subject to consultation as required by the 2005 Act.
Following the consultation period, the consultation responses will be analysed, and Scottish Government will continue to develop the content of the Agricultural Reform. In this context, a Post Adoption Statement will be produced. This Statement will set out how the SEA and the views received in the consultation process have been taken into account.
The emerging Agricultural Reform has adopted an incremental, transitional approach to delivering the Vision for Agriculture. The current Agricultural Reform Route Map sets out changes being introduced in the short-term, while outlining the general direction of travel in the medium- and long-term. Agricultural Reform is an iterative process and a further SEA will be undertaken when appropriate.
Next steps
Table 8.1 sets out an indicative timetable for the development of the emerging Agricultural Reform and associated SEA process.
| Indicative timing | Development of the Agricultural Reform | Stage of the SEA |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn 2025 | Publish and consult on emerging Agricultural Reform | Consult on the Environmental Report for a period of 12 weeks |
| Winter 2025 | Analysis of responses on Draft Agricultural Reform and further development of content | Analysis of responses on the Environmental Report |
| Spring 2026 | Continue to develop the content of the Agricultural Reform | Produce and publish the SEA Post Adoption Statement for the Agricultural Reform |
| Additional SEA of additional programme content (if required) |
Contact
Email: ARPEngage@gov.scot