The Scottish Government

Priority Code

Diversification of Rural Enterprise priorities

Relevant Packages

26. A diverse land-based business sector, through:

BOR26a

a. Encouraging innovation and new product development and local processing, marketing and retailing in line with Scottish Food and Drink Strategy and the Scottish Forestry Strategy. Particularly proposals that:

• promote the development of new innovative products by existing companies for the food and drink, construction, life science and forestry markets
• encourage businesses to work together to combine products and services in an innovative way in the food and drink and forestry sectors
• encourage local food processing
• add value to timber grown in the Borders through support to local groups
• develop the potential for non-timber forest products
• encourage provision of rural business space
• establish and develop rural cultural sector (e.g. Art galleries, workshops).

BOR26b

b. Strengthening links between primary producers and other industry sectors, including processors, retailers and the food service sector, to develop predictable and stable supplies and reduce costs, waste and food/timber miles and live animal transport. Particularly proposals that:

• support the development of woodfuel/biomass utilising wood grown in the Borders including local woodfuel clusters and other measures as outlined in the Scottish Biomass Action Plan
• encourage collaboration throughout food and timber supply chains, with producers and processors working together to deliver what the market wants, generating value for all businesses involved, e.g. developing strong local food and drink supply chains providing high quality Scottish products
• shorten the links between producer and consumer, e.g:

BOR26c

c. improvements in environmental performance particularly in resource usage and waste management practices:

• particularly developments in rural recycling, e.g. composting.

BOR27

Higher value rural goods and services being delivered from the primary (agriculture and forestry) manufacturing and processing, and the recreation and tourism sectors, through improvements in quality and reductions in production, processing and transport costs. Particularly proposals that:

• support the development of businesses which create significant added value in these sectors, including where a number of businesses work effectively together. There is a particular interest in seeing opportunities being further developed regarding adventure sports (mountain biking in the West, diving on the east coast and equestrian), renewable energy and food.

BOR28

The increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. woodfuel. Particularly proposals that:

• support the development and implementation of small-scale local projects utilising hydro, solar, wind power and woodfuel/biomass and bio-digesters
• support for projects that increase the installed capacity of modern woodfuel conversion technology in both public and private sectors.

BOR29

Improved number of career development opportunities, through skills and training initiatives addressing rural skills gaps (complementing work of local enterprise agencies) and incorporating awareness of environmental and social objectives. Particularly proposals that:

• support for proposals which seek to introduce new trainees into the land use sector and which also seek to improve the ability for multi-disciplinary land uses, e.g. farmers incorporating woodland/forest management into their livestock enterprise. Development of leadership skills.

BOR30

Improvement in the value and duration of tourism visits in rural areas, including maximising opportunities for green tourism.

• particularly activities which encourage enjoyment of the natural features of the area such as mountain-biking; diving and equestrian. Also opportunities of scale to capitalise on the literary heritage of the region. Increasing expenditure and length of stay will be key drivers.