Farming

The Prince's Countryside Fund has opened for another round of applications on Thursday 3d March -  Apply here.

Grants of up to £25,000 are available for community-led projects that improve the long-term viability and resilience of the rural communities. 

A new National Strategy for Economic Transformation, underpinned by detailed analysis of Scotland’s economic strengths and weaknesses, has been published.

The strategy contains over 70 actions across five key priority programmes that have been identified as having the greatest potential to deliver economic growth that significantly outperforms the last decade within the current constitutional arrangements.

People who are part of, or wishing to enter a land or nature based industry, can apply for funding support to gain practical skills required to respond to the climate change challenge.

Supported by Scottish Government funding of up to £250,000 and administered by Lantra Scotland, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Practical Training Fund is open to applications from people aged 13 and over.

The next 10 years will be decisive in building a more resilient, entrepreneurial and fair economy, according to Economy Secretary Kate Forbes. 

Speaking ahead of the expected publication of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, Ms Forbes said the Scottish Government will work with businesses, trade unions, third sector and public bodies to seize Scotland’s economic potential.

Protecting foxes, hares and other wild mammals from being chased and killed by packs of dogs is the purpose of the Scottish Government’s new Hunting with Dogs Bill.

The Bill will replace existing legislation in this area, making the law clearer and closing loopholes.

Rewilding Britain is launching the UK’s first Rewilding Innovation Fund to boost locally led land and marine nature recovery projects across Britain, including community initiatives and those focused on improving people’s health and wellbeing.

The fund will be given to innovative projects seeking to create new opportunities for large-scale nature restoration, such as through community engagement, business plans or use of technology.

The purpose of the Natural Capital Pilots are to inform what future rural support outside of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) might look like. 

Financial support will be made available to help crofters and farmers on Scotland’s islands effectively manage local populations of greylag geese.

In some locations, an increase in numbers of geese has caused significant agricultural damage to barley crops and improved pasture, from cropping being eaten and trampled.

Field animal health and welfare functions currently delivered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Scotland are to be replaced by a new Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS).

Speaking at the NFUS AGM, the Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon gave the green light to the new service, which will be developed within the lifetime of the current Parliament.

Scottish agricultural charity, RSABI, is reminding people worried about increasing energy bills that they may be eligible for “Help for Heating” grants. 

Following the announcement confirming an energy price cap increase from April, the Scottish farming charity is urging people concerned about rising energy costs to get in touch.