Farming

A new working group has been formed by the Scottish Government to develop the future policy on farming and food production.

Thr group is made up of producers and comsumer and environmental organisations and will consider how we use Scotland's natural assets to produce food and mitigate the impact of climate change. The new group will also look at how best to support such activity is Scotland has to leave the European Union.

As part of the Gender Pay Gap Action Plan, up to £5m will support up to 2,000 women return to work in sectors - including agriculture where they are under-represented - by bringing their skills up to date and providing access to work experience placements.

In addition, three pilot training programmes developed by the Women in Agriculture Taskforce, specifically aimed at women living or working in Scottish agriculture, have been launched by Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie ahead of the Royal Highland Show.

Ms McKelvie said:

The 2019 British Farming Award entries are now open – and they’re looking for their next Diversification Innovator of the Year.

With increasing input costs, food prices being driven down and the unknown impact of Brexit looming, farmers are having to find new ways to boost their profits and become ever more resilient.

A recent independent study into public attitudes towards the Scottish Rural and Agricultural sector has identified 7 key principles for future agricultural policy in Scotland that the public support.

According to research commissioned by the Scottish Government, nearly 90% of Scots think farming is vital to economic growth, and public support of Scottish farming is growing with 83% of Scots believe that farming provides an essential public service.

On 9th June 2019, hundreds of farms all over the country will open their gates for LEAF Open Farm Sunday 2019. As the farming industry’s annual open day, it offers a fantastic chance for people to discover real farming at first hand and see for themselves how their food (and much more besides) is produced. It is also a great way for farmers to shine a light on what they deliver and why supporting British farming matters.

New entrants to the farming industry get help from Scottish Government scheme.

More public sector land has been released to people who want to become farmers.

Around 6,400 hectares of land has been made available from public bodies such as Forestry and Land Scotland, Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Water, Highland and Islands Enterprise, East Lothian and Highland Councils.

In this report, the Rural Youth Project tell us about an inspiring learning journey to the Netherlands.

The Rural Youth Project and Scottish Enterprise Urban/Rural Learning Journey was a collaboration to engage participants to “think different” regarding rural enterprise, sustainability and agriculture.

A new local food strategy for the Stirling area will be launched at a free event on 6 June.

The 'Alive with Local Food' strategy will be unveiled by Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER and Stirling Council at Stirling High School on Thursday 6 June 2019 at 4.30pm.

The strategy aims to support a vibrant local food economy, invest in people, build a resilient future for the sector and showcase the best of the local larder.

A group of farmers are working with a commercial feed processor to try and grow the UK's first viable organic seed rape crop for the animal feed supply chain.

​The five organic farmers in the North East are being supported by the Rural Innovation Support Service, which is part of the Scottish Rural Network and led by Soil Association Scotland. The group was formed to meet a need for locally-grown organic protein for pigs and poultry.