NSA Scotland consultation response on The Rural Development (Continuation of Operation) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) regulations 2024

Under the current circumstances and uncertainty regarding future farm support and scheme development, NSA Scotland believes current support should be extended and built upon going forward and would welcome discussions surrounding future schemes (such as LFASS and SRDP) to ensure they are fit for purpose and safeguard the viability of those farming in disadvantaged areas. NSA Scotland encourages Scottish Government to engage with farming stakeholders regarding future farming schemes whilst taking into account upcoming and planned changes with particular regard to external influencing factors.

Amongst others, NSA Scotland has called for rebasing of LFASS for quite some time which has not been undertaken to date. We wish to ensure that disadvantaged area support of the future and any LFASS replacement has learnt from the misgivings of past endeavours.  It is essential that policy is future proofed and unintended consequences minimised. We have a duty to ensure the next generation of farmers and others who are building their businesses are supported and are treated on at least a level playing field or better than those who are at the end of their farming or crofting career.  The current budget of £65m should be at least maintained and redistributed to those who are actively farming livestock in disadvantaged areas and depend on this crucial support for their viability. The complexity of delivering LFASS is appreciated, however an understanding of the calculations for each individual business payment and how it is derived needs to be outlined going forwards. It cannot be understated the socio-economic and environmental value of active farming and crofting on poorer land or in remoter locations. Ongoing support for livestock grazing systems in such areas is integral to the success of any future support framework. We are of the understanding that LFASS will be reviewed in line with the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act and we welcome the continued commitment to disadvantaged area support and further discussion.

As it stands currently, LFASS falls short on adequate delivery of support on a number of fronts however, it is important that there is no time lag from any existing scheme and a bespoke replacement scheme commencing to ensure agricultural businesses have not been exposed to detrimental consequences as a direct result of changing policy.  We are all acutely aware of the wide ranging external pressures facing the agricultural industry today. Inflation, climate change adaption, biodiversity loss, ageing population of workforce amongst many others have all been wreaking havoc on businesses and threatens their existence. We have already seen a reduction in the Scottish national sheep flock and beef herd in recent years, this needs to be halted wherever possible. 

It is pivotal that any intended changes for the purpose of ensuring stability and continuity for farmers, crofters and land managers in the period from 2025 to 2030 by extending the period of operation of support for rural development should be undertaken to allow the continuation of support beyond 2024. To conclude, NSA Scotland is in support of this SSI with the provision of further discussion and debate in a timely manner on the affected schemes and their future form via a wide range of stakeholders to ensure co-development and an outcome which reflects the realities of farming and crofting in Scotland.