Regional Priority Code | Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities | Relevant Packages |
| 1. Capital investment in agricultural businesses where the investment will: | |
ARG01a | a. reduce production costs. Particularly proposals that: - increase efficiency particularly within breeding livestock businesses by reducing costs of production
- reduce costs within the dairy sector in Argyll
- adopt new cropping or grazing methods to:
1. those more capable of surviving climate change in Argyll 2. those that have enhanced nutritional or health benefit for livestock - make greater use of organic composted waste on site to improve soil fertility and thereby reduce reliance on imported inorganic fertilisers.
| 2-4, 29, 30 & 33 |
ARG01b | b. enhance the productivity of the business. Particularly proposals that: - enhance breeding livestock productivity and the viability of associated businesses in Argyll particularly through:
1. adoption of improved genetic stock 2. development of low disease production methods 3. taking part in collaborative animal health schemes such as Highlands and Islands sheep health programme and cattle health schemes - involve structured health audits and plans.
| 2-4, 33 & 35 |
ARG01c | c. make the business better able to respond to market demand. Particularly applicants that: - are participating in a recognised marketing scheme or promotion scheme that involves an Argyll product, including store as well as finished and breeding livestock markets
- demonstrate an innovative approach to developing new products and a strong identity for food and drink derived from the Argyll area, e.g. mature lamb initiative, Tiree seaweed potatoes
- take part in direct marketing activities in Argyll and beyond
- proposals that involve conversion to, and maintenance of, organic production methods.
| 1-4 & 35 |
ARG01d | d. enhance the quality of the commodities produced by the business. Particularly proposals that: - add value to local produce within or beyond Argyll
- improve the quality of products to meet industry best practice standards, e.g. woodchip quality in the wood fuel sector.
| 1-4, 33 & 35 |
ARG01e | e. maintain and improve animal health and welfare standards. Particularly applicants who participate in: - a recognised animal health schemes to improve the efficiency and marketability of livestock, e.g. Highlands and Islands Sheep Strategy, Mull, North Argyll pilot and Tiree health
- proposals that make best use of latest technical advice and knowledge
- proposals for small-scale woodland and hedge creation or maintenance particularly for livestock shelter.
| 2 & 30 |
ARG01f | f. facilitate better waste management. Particularly proposals that: - improve manure storage, handling and application facilities including
- bio-digesters that deal with food and animal waste and as a source of sustainable energy
- greater use of recycled organic waste compost particularly where it is:
1. produced on farm 2. composted on farm 3. used on farm 4. involves collaborative procurement and use of compost handling facilities or machinery - involve participation in region or sub-region wide waste recycling schemes, e.g. farm plastics recycling initiatives.
| 27-30 & 33 |
ARG01g | g. mitigate farm pollution and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (in specific areas - see "Water and Soils"). Particularly proposals that: - use an innovative approach to dealing with food and animal waste, e.g. Bute biogas project
- greater use of recycled organic waste compost within the farm unit.
| 27, 30, 33 & 34 |
ARG02 | A viable, competitive or sustainable farming sector, through encouraging new entrants to restructure or modernised farm businesses. Particularly proposals that: - encourage young entrants to provide or upgrade buildings and associated structures, necessary equipment, infrastructure or information technology as well as associated fees, where it can be shown that these investments:
1. are an essential part of the infrastructure or orientation of the business 2. will result in improvements in business viability, succession planning, environmental management, health and safety and/or animal health and welfare 3. incorporate local timber and other sustainable construction materials where possible 4. conform to Argyll and Bute Council's sustainable siting and design principles and guidance. | 2-4 |
ARG03 | Improved business competitiveness or sustainability, through improved management or improved animal health and welfare by supporting land managers to undertake practical, vocational or business skills training (especially where it complements other capital investments or changes in business structure or orientation). Particularly proposals that: - involve land managers' attendance at local site based sharing-good-practice meetings involving demonstration of best practice and dissemination to other businesses in Argyll. In particular within subject areas: business efficiency, market led production, Animal health, Contract Models, Biomass, Food for life, Whole farm business planning, small scale renewables, natural heritage and environmental stewardship, farm waste management
- support new trainees in farming and other land use sectors where there is a demonstrable skills gap
- seek to introduce new trainees into core land use sectors particularly those that encourage existing land managers to cross-over into other sectors, e.g. farmers diversifying into forestry/woodlands and vice-versa
- improve the incorporation of environmental and social objectives into business activities including the participation in environmental monitoring training, recreational facility management, e.g. path maintenance.
| 2-4, 33 & 35 |