This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Agriculture must adapt to succeed - Minister
03/10/2001
The core of farming policy in Scotland must be the
implementation of the key actions of the Executive's
agriculture strategy, Environment and Rural Development
Minister Ross Finnie said today.
Speaking at the Scottish Parliament debate on
A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, the
Minister said:
"After the experience of recent months, it would be all
too easy to focus solely on the immediate problems facing
Scottish agriculture. That, however, is not the attitude of
the industry nor is it the attitude of the Executive.
"Foot and Mouth Disease highlighted the vital links
between farming and the wider rural economy, its society
and environment. The Strategy emphasises this and
identifies real opportunities for farming and other
activities to develop together for the benefit of rural
Scotland as a whole. Local Enterprise Networks, local
authorities, planning authorities and tourist bodies will
assist this process.
"Good progress in implementing the Strategy has already
been made. The Agriculture and Environment Working Group
has met for the first time to address the major
environmental issues which will impact on farming and food
processing businesses over the next five to ten years.
"I am also pleased to announce that the Executive has
agreed with SEPA, SNH, WWF Scotland, NFUS Scotland and the
Scottish Agricultural College to create a post at the
College to co-ordinate advice to farmers on managing
pollution risks by using inexpensive techniques.
"Additionally - in collaboration with SNH and the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds - the Scottish
Executive will help fund a specialist adviser who will
provide a central source of expert advice on biodiversity
issues for farmers.
Mr Finnie added:
"The Common Agricultural Policy cannot solve Scotland's
problems, and although subsidies are very important, they
cannot and should not be relied upon to provide a viable
income. We need support schemes that are flexible and
provide economic, social and environmental benefits, whilst
taking account of the very different circumstances under
which the benefits are delivered.
"Land Management Contracts may achieve these aims. We
have already indicated our preliminary intentions on Land
Management Contracts to the Commission but further
engagement is required. I believe that Land Management
Contracts - tailored to Scottish needs - could be an
exciting alternative to the traditional production-based
support. It will also allow us to consider alternatives to
the traditional agri-environment schemes which offer
environmental benefits, but often in a piecemeal fashion.
That is not only my view but one widely supported by many
of those consulted about the way ahead.
He concluded:
"The creation of a prosperous farming sector in Scotland
is imperative. To this end farm businesses need to find new
ways of reducing costs and generating more income from the
market.
"Scotland already has an excellent tradition of quality
food production, family businesses, respected research
institutes, certified quality assurance and extensive
farming systems. We need to build on all of these to make
farming more profitable and sustainable in the future."