In the lead up to November’s COP 26 climate negotiations in Glasgow, there has been much discussion about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Rightly so, with farming and related land use accounting for around a quarter of Scotland’s emissions. But farming is not only facing a climate emergency. It also faces a nature emergency. Farming plays a significant role in the fate of Scotland’s wildlife.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of Scotland’s landscape is covered by some form of agricultural production; how farmers and crofters produce food and manage their land matters for nature. Some farming and crofting methods are already of High Nature Value and the adoption of nature friendly farming techniques on farmland is hugely important in helping wildlife. For example, low levels of grazing by cattle on some land plays a key role in the upkeep of habitats for critically endangered birds like Curlew. Organic farming is another way farmers can make their land more positive for wildlife such as bees and other insects.
Whilst farming in Scotland can be positive for nature, agriculture has been identified as one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss. Across Scotland, there has been a 24% decline in average species’ abundance (since 1994), a 14% decline in average species’ distribution and 49% of species have decreased in abundance (since 1970), whilst 1 in 10 species are threatened with extinction (State of Nature 2019). The latest figures from the Breeding Bird Indicator, collected through the Breeding Bird Survey, showed that there have been some substantial long-term decreases in farmland birds, including declines of more than 50% for greenfinch, kestrel, and lapwing, and between 25-50% declines in oystercatcher, rook and pied wagtail. These declines threaten farmland biodiversity which is so vital to long term sustainable food production. Nature is in trouble and we need more farmers and crofters to help fix this.
In order to properly address the nature and climate emergency, agriculture needs to change. This requires the right government policies and funding to be in place to support farmers and crofters. That’s not yet the case. Although there is already around £650 million a year invested in supporting farming, the vast majority of it isn’t focused on supporting sustainable farming and helping farmers to act for nature and climate, whilst also producing food for our tables.
The last few years have seen the establishment of countless groups and the publication of numerous reports proposing ideas for reform of farming policy. Many of these have had a strong climate focus, for example the Farmer Led Group reports and Farming for 1.5 report. Nature has been given less consideration; this needs to change as we move into the next phase of policy development. It is critical for example, that the recently announced ‘Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board’ (ARIOB) considers policies needed to address both the nature and climate emergencies. Not least because the future of farming relies upon a healthy and robust natural environment.
Ultimately, we need the Scottish Government to provide much-needed clarity about its overall objectives for the agriculture sector and the policies it intends to put in place to help farmers and crofters become a part of the solution to the nature and climate emergency.
One of the key decisions the Scottish Government can make now which will have an immediate positive effect is to continue with significant funding for the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) until new farming policy is in place. This is a scheme which supports nature and climate friendly farming methods on farms and crofts across Scotland. Farmers who successfully apply are awarded annual payments for five years to engage in various land management activities that are positive for nature. This might include planting and managing hedgerows, creating field margins and flower-rich habitats that benefit butterflies and other insects, and restoring peatlands; activities good for wildlife that can also help to address climate change. AECS also helps protect birds associated with farmland such as corncrakes, corn buntings and waders. For a great insight into how the scheme supports farmers to protect birds such as breeding waders watch this short video, where RSPB staff have been working with farmers in the Angus Glens. For further information about AECS and the importance of environmental payments to farmers, you can read more out here.
As things currently stand, there is no commitment from the Scottish Government to fund AECS in 2022 or the following years. Decisions have been taken though to continue other types of farm support, including farm income payments and subsidies for keeping cattle and sheep. Why the same commitment has not been made for AECS is unclear and problematic. Many species of wildlife – such as the Great Yellow Bumblebee, Curlew and Lapwing – as well as internationally important habitats such as Machair, depend on sympathetic land management. Farmers and crofters need support for this which means the right schemes and policies need to be in place. Whilst the long-term direction for Scottish agriculture is still in development, the short-term decision the Scottish Government should take to ensure nature has a future on Scottish farms and crofts is clear – continue AECS.