Land

The 2018 application window for the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is now open.

The scheme supports environmentally-friendly land management practices that aim to safeguard and improve Scotland’s natural heritage and help businesses adapt to climate change.

The AECS 2018 application window opened today (17 January) and will run for 12 weeks until 13 April 2018. The deadline for applications for collaborative projects which involve five or more businesses is 31 May 2018.

A Changing Landscape - Making the Most of Our Natural Assets

A key reason for reason for much of South West Scotland having been designated as the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere is its long history of agriculture and forestry which has shaped our landscapes, our biodiversity, our local economy and our local communities.

With changes on the horizon leading to increased pressures for afforestation, particularly of commercial monoculture, the intensification of livestock farming in our lowlands and the threat to the sustainability of hill and upland farming from Brexit, the makeup of the region is going to change.

The EIP-AGRI Service Point is looking for coordinating experts for a number of workshops, seminars and Focus Groups on a range of topics.

The agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) works to foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that 'achieves more and better from less'. 

Over 800 projects in Scotland are to benefit from funding from the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme to encourage environmentally-friendly land management practices.

AECS 2017 has awarded £47.7 million to 801 projects over the next five years to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk, and help agricultural businesses adapt to climate change.

Announcing the award, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:

Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart has set out new legislation aimed to simplify and improve the planning system in Scotland.

The Planning (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 4 December and will create a new structure with clearer development plans, earlier engagement with communities, streamlined procedures and smarter resourcing.

Mr Stewart said:

Kirsty Crichton from the Scottish Rural Network reports from the recent Through A Rural Lens event held in Belfast.

Delegates from across the UK and Ireland attended the Through A Rural Lens: Rural Development and Networking Conference at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland on 14 and 15 November 2017.

Scotland was well represented by a range of organisations, as well as panel member Professor Sarah Skerratt from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

The Annual Implementation Report (AIR) of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) has been published.

Covering the first three years of the 2014-2020 Programme, the full report and Summary for Citizens can be viewed on the Scottish Government website.

Scottish Land & Estates are running a Land Managers’ Training Day on Wednesday 18 October at Perth Racecourse for those actively involved in Scottish land management.

The day will consist of presentations in the morning, a buffet lunch, workshops in the afternoon, and an ‘ask the experts’ panel session before close. 

The second stage of a project to restore peat bogs on Luss Estates in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has been completed.

The joint project between the National Park Authority and Luss Estates to tackle climate change saw six weeks of work carried out over an area of 80 hectares on Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill, above Glen Luss.

AECS and Pains on the Croft - Getting to Grips with Agri-Environment Schemes

Are you trying to get to grips with AECS, or wondering how managing your land differently could impact production?

This event will look at ‘win-win’ situations, where agri-environmental management can benefit both wildlife and production.

You will also spend time exploring some of the practicalities and challenges associated with applying for and managing land under an Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS).

Free of charge to farmers, crofters and land managers.

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