Scottish Government

Halcrow Group Limited In association with the Scottish Agricultural College
ISBN 978 0 7559 5335 6
This document is also available in pdf format (1.2MB)

Contents

List of Acronyms

Limitations

Non-Technical Summary

1. Introduction
1.1 Key Facts Relating to the Next Steps SEA
1.2 The Retrospective SEA Process
1.3 Report Structure

2. Retrospective SEA Methodology
2.1 Scoping Report and Scoping Responses
2.2 Assessment Process

3. Policy Drivers and Context for the Next Steps Strategy
3.1 EU Common Agricultural Policy ( CAP)
3.2 CAP Reform - 2002-03 Mid-Term Review
3.3 Cross Compliance
3.4 Rural Development and Modulation
3.5 EU Rural Development Regulation ( RDR) (1698/2005)
3.6 Scottish Rural Development Programme ( SRDP) 2007-13
3.7 Strategic Environmental Assessment of the SRDP
3.8 Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Scottish Forestry Strategy
3.9 Biodiversity - International and National Commitments
3.10 Summary of Extended PPP Review
3.11 A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture and the Next Steps Strategy
3.12 Synergies Between Next Steps Actions and EURDR Measures

4. Environmental Baseline Issues
4.1 Pressures on the Farmland Environment in the Absence of Next Steps

5. SEA Assessment Framework

6. Prediction and Evaluation of Environmental Effects

7. Alternatives Assessment Methodology

8. SEA Indicators and Monitoring

9. Next Steps in the process

Appendix A: Links to other Plans, Programmes and Policies and their environmental objectives
Appendix B: Legislative Context for Cross Compliance Statutory Management Requirements
Appendix C: Next Steps SEA Environmental Baseline
Appendix D: EU Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework ( CMEF) Indicator Set
Appendix E: Next Steps Strategy Actions - Preliminary Assessment
Appendix F: Next Steps SEA Workshop Assessment Tables
Appendix G: Next Steps SEA Workshop

List of Tables
Table 1.1 Key Facts
Table 1.2 SEA activities to date
Table 3.1 Summary of related plans and issues affecting the Next Steps Strategy
Table 3.2 Next Steps Strategic Goals and Actions
Table 3.3 Synergies between Next Steps Actions and EURDR Measures
Table 4.1 SNH Protected Areas Assessments
Table 4.2 Scheduled Monuments and archaeological sites on agricultural land in Scotland
Table 4.3 Summary of environmental issues and inter-relationships
Table 5.1 SEA Objectives and Topics
Table 5.2 SEA Objectives and Assessment Questions
Table 6.1 Anticipated Next Steps Strategy Effects on SEA Topics
Table 6.2 Potential Environmental Effects and Mitigation Options (11 Strategy Actions)

List of Figures
Figure 2.1 Outline of the Next Steps retrospective SEA methodology
Figure 3.1 Overview of policy & mechanisms hierarchy