Where next for Scottish farming?

Farming is, and always has been, a regular theme in my working life. Whether I’m meeting those who lead Scotland’s National Farmers Union or challenging politicians and senior civil servants on the decisions they make on agriculture policy, wildlife friendly farming is at the heart of those conversations. And I proudly admit, I like being out on a farm with practical land managers who share my enthusiasm for wildlife friendly farming, and are making it happen.

Championing wildlife friendly farming has, for many years, been a core part of the RSPB’s mission. So, when last year, the Scottish Government published a discussion document on the 'Future of Scottish Agriculture' and in it stated its ambition for Scotland to be a world leader in green farming, we applauded. RSPB Scotland staff engaged in this discussion and contributed lots of ideas as to how to make greener farming a reality. This included making sure that by green farming we mean farming that produces quality produce, and is good for birds, butterflies, plants and all nature, as well as good for our climate, soils and water resources.

Our vision for Scottish farming is of a sector which puts nature and the environment at the heart of business decisions and, through this, is delivering real environmental improvements. We want farming to be productive, resilient, diverse and carried out in ways that are appropriate to the land and that maintains and enhances nature rather than degrades it. In other words, we want the sustainable and long term use of our precious resources and a farming sector that prides itself on improving wildlife whilst achieving reliable incomes for farm businesses. This requires us to support those who take environmental action, through a mix of public policy, consumer choice and market prices.

Our discussions with others in this debate, including farmers, crofters and their representatives, suggest there is much common ground. We all want a viable farming sector, providing decent livelihoods and employment, producing good food and other products and doing so in ways that do not harm the environment. Where we may disagree is on the scale of the challenges we face, especially the climate and biodiversity challenges, and the steps we need to take to make a difference. Much farmland biodiversity is in decline, as a result of some farming practices, or the abandonment of less profitable management. But farmers are the people best placed to remedy this, and those that do will gain a competitive edge for their produce, and livestock in the future.

Here are the 10 key steps we have identified that we think would really help us move towards greener farming:   

1. Every farmer should undertake an environmental audit on their land, identifying the best aspects and the worst. This audit should be used to produce an integrated whole farm business and environment plan which is implemented and then reviewed on a 3 year cycle. Audits and plans should be compulsory for those in receipt of public money through the CAP.
2. There should be more rapid uptake on all farms of best-practice farm management techniques that deliver environmental improvements such as soil testing, nutrient budgeting, Integrated Crop and Pest Management, alongside greater adoption of simple measures to help wildlife. 
3. An increase in the area of farmland managed under agri-environment-climate options (in the new AEC scheme) designed to help wildlife, improve water quality, reduce floodrisk, and reduce GHG emissions.
4. Growth in the organic sector with at least 10% of Scottish farmland managed according to organic farm standards and expansion in the market for organic produce with more people purchasing organic food.
5. High Nature Value (HNV) farming and crofting systems – those which are of particular importance for wildlife but which struggle to survive financially  –  being fully recognised, valued and supported through the Common Agricultural Policy, other funding streams and wider Government policy.
6. Greater effort being made to ensure that all protected sites (SSSI’s, SPAs and SACs) on farmland which are currently in unfavourable condition have moved to favourable condition as a result of the introduction of appropriate land management practices.
7. More farmers working collaboratively to manage land at landscape and catchment scale in order to achieve enhanced environmental outcomes.
8. More research being carried out to further identify those farming systems and practices that can protect and enhance the environment whilst meeting our food needs.
9. Greater effort focused on knowledge transfer, advice and training to encourage and promote uptake of best environmental practice amongst farmers.
10. More consumers choosing Scottish produce because it is recognised for its quality and is being produced in ways that are beneficial for the environment.  The supermarkets, other food outlets and retailers, and public procurement should all help to encourage and drive such demand. 

Of course, it isn’t all just about the environment. The long term viability and prosperity of the farming sector in Scotland will only be secured if other changes also happen, many as highlighted in the Government’s discussion document. From farmers getting paid a fair share of the price of food to ensuring that farming is seen as a desirable profession and is populated by well trained and skilled individuals. RSPB Scotland believes that demonstrating benefits for wildlife will help get a fair price for Scotland’s farmers; consumers increasingly do care how their food is produced and where it comes from.

We now need the Government to connect its aspirations for agriculture with its wider aspirations for Scotland to be a ‘Good Food Nation’. This desired direction of travel for our food and farming systems needs also to reflect the principles the Government has set out in its Land Use Strategy, for how we use all our land resources more sustainably. All of this needs to be brought together into a real plan of action with commitments to deliver it. It would be a good first step to see Ministers setting up a Task Force to take this forward and we would be keen to help. If Government were to commit to this, that really would be worth applauding.