NATURAL RESOURCES |
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SEERAD Outcome | Issue | Objective |
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Sustainable development and biodiversity respected in actions across Scotland. | Biodiversity | Overall national objective To support the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, through measures which halt and reverse loss and deterioration, and to promote the long-term stability and resilience of Scotland's biological environment, including its capacity to regenerate and adapt. Delivery Bring the special features of SSSIs, Natura sites and Ramsar sites into, and maintain them in, favourable condition. Undertake targeted action for habitats and species in the wider countryside, in particular Biodiversity Action Plan priorities Improve connectivity between designated sites and develop habitat networks in the wider countryside. Support, promote and develop high nature value farming, crofting and forestry. Address threats to biodiversity from climate change and invasive non-native species. |
Soils | Overall national objective To protect and manage soils in keeping with principles of sustainable development. Delivery Conserve and enhance soil properties beyond GAEC requirements. Protect soils as part of the cultural heritage and landscape. Protect soils of high conservation value. Encourage relevant land management changes, such as cultivation practice, livestock levels and woodland creation. |
Rivers and beaches free of unacceptable pollution | Water (Quality and Pollution Control) | Overall national objective To support the achievement of the good water status objective of the Water Framework Directive ( WFD)*. Delivery Achieve and maintain good chemical and ecological quality in surface waters and good chemical quality in groundwater water bodies, in accordance with the WFD. Bring about a substantial reduction in diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry using measures for the control of diffuse pollution. Achieve the standards required by the Bathing Waters Directive. Achieve acceptable levels of nitrates in surface waters and groundwaters in accordance with the Nitrates Directive *Note: Achieving the standards required by the Shellfish Waters and Freshwater Fish Directives are part of achieving WFD targets. |
Communities protected from flooding, climate change and other environmental hazards | Water (Flood Risk Management) | Overall national objective To increase uptake of measures that assist in delivering sustainable flood management. Delivery Provision of sustainable flood management options through use of natural habitats. Protecting, using and restoring natural systems and soft engineering techniques as means of achieving sustainable flood management. Encourage changes in land management, such as cultivation practice, livestock levels and woodland creation to manage flood risk. |
Climate Change | Overall national objective To promote measures aimed both at minimising emissions of greenhouse gases and adapting to consequences of climate change in support of the Scottish Climate Change Programme. Delivery Mitigation measures which assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through measures which deliver wider biodiversity benefits (eg restoration and protection of natural carbon stores such as peat bogs and woodlands; enhancement and conserving of soil organic matter; targeting of fertiliser applications). Adaptation measures which assist in addressing the impacts of climate change, particularly inland flooding and coastal sea level rise, and measures which assist species and habitats to adapt to changing climate (eg landscape scale provision of suitable habitat; sustainable flood management using natural habitats). |
Clean air | Air Quality | Overall national objective To reduce air pollutant emissions in line with UK Air Quality Strategy and UK requirements under the National Emission Ceilings Directive and Gothenburg targets. Delivery Reduce ammonia and particle emissions from agricultural activities through measures aimed at targeting nutrient inputs. |
COUNTRYSIDE ISSUES |
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Well maintained landscapes benefiting people and business | Access | Overall national objective To increase people's quality of life through confident participation in and enjoyment of responsible outdoor access in a welcoming countryside. Delivery To deliver outdoor access opportunities through an enhanced role for land managers, working individually and collectively, in providing a welcoming countryside that is integrated within their other land management operations and which satisfy identified community needs |
Landscape | Overall national objective To safeguard and enhance the distinct identity, the diverse character and special qualities of Scotland's landscapes Delivery To ensure that tomorrow's landscapes contribute positively to peoples environment and are at least as attractive and valued as they are today. |
Built and Cultural Heritage | National objective The distinct cultural and historic identity of each area, as represented by its significant sites, monuments and rural buildings ("heritage assets") is recognised, valued and safeguarded. Delivery Heritage assets are used sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives. |
Farm diversification and other rural development benefiting communities | Education | To raise awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food and farming through "first hand" experience |
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT |
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Farm diversification and other rural development benefiting communities & Well treated and healthy domestic and farm animals | A thriving and growing rural land based business community. | Growth of existing land based businesses including Animal Health and Welfare issues Encouraging and retaining new entrants to land based businesses Development of a skilled labour force Increased collaboration and integration with other businesses and communities Increased diversification Increased capacity to add value to primary products Improving the supply chain by encouraging market development and vertical integration |
Sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries, competitive in markets and contributing to local economies | Enhancement of the rural land based business community's social and environmental performance. | Development and increased use of renewable energy Resource and waste management improvements Increased IT capability More targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information Improvements in transport, storage and distribution Provision of affordable housing |