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7. Moving forward
Outcomes
We have proposed 22 Actions. Their implementation will help ensure that we have a prosperous and sustainable farming industry that is:
- competitive in markets;
- a driver of rural development; and
- renowned for its high environmental standards.
These are the outcomes against which the success of this Next Steps strategy should be judged.
Implementation
This document sets an agenda for action. We are already working with stakeholders to identify who will be responsible for delivery of each action and some of this delivery work is already underway. Progress will depend on full engagement by a wide range of stakeholders. This partnership approach is essential and requires the active support of individuals and small groups, as well as national institutions. SEERAD will co-ordinate implementation and promote the actions in other relevant policy documents (such as the Scottish Rural Development Plan for 2007-2013), in its formal statements of Departmental outcomes, through its research programmes (set out in Strategic Research for SEERAD: 2005-2010) and in other initiatives.
We want to adopt a dynamic approach to the implementation phase, securing the commitment of partners to concerted action. The next steps will be to:
- take forward the action points with partners, including the farming and food and drink industries; their representative bodies; the Scottish Food and Drink Strategy Group; the levy boards; the Strategic Science Advisory Panel; research providers, educational and other institutions (such as MLURI, Moredun, SCRI, RRI, SAC, and SAOS) and other arms of Government;
- take forward work on strategic environmental assessment ( see Appendix 2);
- organise a conference later in 2006 for producers, processors, retailers and other partners in order to refine implementation proposals and report action to date.
Monitoring and reporting progress
Monitoring and reporting of progress is equally important. We will continue to meet regularly in order to review progress and, as necessary, stimulate further effort. We have also drawn up a provisional list of indicators of progress to provide a basis for reporting ( see Appendix 3). More detailed work is needed to improve them so that they are specific, measurable and relevant. To avoid unnecessary costs, we will also make full use of existing data sources and related work (such as evaluation of the Scottish Rural Development Plan and reporting against biodiversity indicators) in monitoring progress.
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