A little while ago, I highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the future of funding for wildlife friendly farming schemes in Scotland if we leave the EU in the next few years. Some assurances about short-term funding had been provided at UK level by the Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, but the devolved nature of agriculture policy meant we needed similar reassurances from Scottish Ministers. So much of our precious wildlife depends on farmers and crofters creating space for nature and managing their land sympathetically.
The good news is that earlier in the month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced that he will be passing on, in full, the funding guarantees offered earlier by Mr Hammond. This cash investment in our rural areas means that schemes that encourage nature friendly farming and help farmers address climate change and improve water quality will continue to operate for the next few years at least. This puts money in the pockets of hard-pressed farmers whilst yielding good returns for nature and securing wider benefits for us all.
Beyond that, the future remains as uncertain as ever. As a nation, we must continue to invest in our rural areas, supporting farming and the environment and ensuring that all farmers have the means to help us tackle the environmental challenges that affect us all.