CROFTING FEDERATION WELCOMES NEXT STEP IN SCOTTISH AGRICULTURAL POLICY BUT CONCERNS AROUND KEY OMISSIONS REMAIN

SCF welcomes the publication of Scottish Government’s Agricultural Reform Routemap and list of draft measures for enhanced conditionality, yet urges for more consideration for the concerns and needs of crofters and other small-scale producers. In our response to the Agriculture Bill SCF emphasised the need for details,” explained Donald MacKinnon, chair of the SCF. “The published documents give an insight into the direction of agricultural reform and of timelines. This is a positive step and will provide crofters with a better understanding of potential changes to agricultural payments. Some of the proposals for enhanced conditions could better support crofters, for example, on regenerative grazing, support to retain traditional cattle, and for small-scale tree planting. Yet, important issues that have been raised by SCF have still been overlooked by the Government”. Read more here