Environment

The National Council of Rural Advisers has been annnounced by Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing.

The new Council will cover all aspects of future rural development, including appropriate financial support beyond 2022.

It will provide advice on the potential implications of Scotland leaving the European Union as part of the UK, and make recommendations on future policy and support, with the aim of ensuring a vibrant, sustainable and productive rural economy.

Announcing the new group ahead of the Royal Highland Show, Mr Ewing said:

Buzzing About Grassland

Species rich grassland meadows are an important part of our farming landscape, providing habitats for birds, pollinators, and areas of nutritionally low fodder to manage sheep condition on.

How can we better utilise these areas within our farming systems - and what revenue is available for managing these areas through AECS?

Grazing expert Michael Blanche will take us through the grazing systems, detailing how we can make the most of the grass that we have, before moving outside into the fields to look at different types of grassland and how they can be managed.

A new plan has launched setting out how all those with responsibility for the Cairngorms National Park will coordinate their work to tackle the most important issues over the next five years.

The Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan (2017-2022) will deliver the following long-term outcomes for the National Park:

An introduction to the NPMS at Hill and Mountain Research Centre

Spend a day exploring the methodology of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme and meeting like-minded volunteers. You will be taken through what is required as an NPMS volunteer and then head outside to practise setting up survey plots.

An introduction to the NPMS at Abernethy Nethybridge

Spend a day exploring the methodology of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme and meeting like-minded volunteers. You will be taken through what is required as an NPMS volunteer and then head outside to practise setting up survey plots.

An introduction to the NPMS at Kindrogan Field Studies Centre

Spend a day exploring the methodology of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme and meeting like-minded volunteers. You will be taken through what is required as an NPMS volunteer and then head outside to practise setting up survey plots.

Are you interested in wild plants or would like to learn more about them?

The National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) helps understanding on what is happening to different habitats across the UK. They are looking for volunteers to take part by recording plants against a checklist in five small plots twice a year. They are particularly keen to hear from people who live in less populated areas - or who would like to visit a particular rural area twice a year for the purposes of the survey.

Opportunities and future perspectives for resource efficiency in rural areas

The event will build on ongoing European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) thematic work on  ‘Resource Efficiency’, including aspects such as water use efficiency, soil and nutrient management, and soil conservation and carbon sequestration.

A new free online platform has launched to help more people make use of smart farming technologies.

The Smart Farming Platform has been launched by the Horizon 2020 thematic network Smart AKIS.

Have your say on a plan setting out key priorities for the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park by taking part in a public consultation.

Views are currently being sought on the draft National Park Partnership Plan 2018-2023 which sets out a vision for how the Park Authority and its partners will work together to further develop the benefits the National Park can offer Scotland's environment, society, culture and economy.

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