This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Land Management Contracts
04/08/2004
The range of social, environmental and economic benefits
that farmers should consider delivering under a new system
of agricultural support are outlined in a consultation
which begins today.
The proposed measures mark a first step towards the
introduction of a system of Land Management Contracts that
should help to enhance the sustainability of Scottish
agriculture and rural Scotland.
The intention to introduce a new system of support to
recognise the local environmental and economic benefits
that farming brings was included as part of the Executive's
Forward Strategy for Scottish agriculture.
Under the proposals farmers will choose from a menu of
agri-environment, planning, socio-economic and animal
health measures which will attract an annual payment.
This will form the basis of a plan tailored to meet
individual farm circumstances.
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie
said:
"In A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture we gave
a commitment to introduce a radical new support system that
would reward farm businesses for the social, environmental
and economic benefits they deliver to their
communities.
"We want to see an industry that is customer focused,
plays a part in rural development and which is a leading
player in the protection and enhancement of the
environment. Farming is multi-functional and the benefits
that it delivers vary across Scotland.
"We are therefore proposing a scheme which offers
flexible support that can be tailored to meet the needs of
individual farms, the environments in which they operate
and the communities they help to support.
"We want to encourage farmers who are working actively
to improve our biodiversity and water environment, to
enhance skills and understanding of the countryside and
land management issues, to increase the quality of Scottish
produce and to raise standards of animal health and
welfare.
"This Menu Scheme provides, for the first time, an
integrated approach to agricultural support, considering
the farm as a whole business and allowing all farmers to
reap the benefits of available support."
Responses to the consultation are required by September
3.
www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/agri/lmcms-00.asp