The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities

Relevant Packages

Capital investment in agricultural businesses where the investment will:

D+G01a

Reduce production costs. Particularly proposals that:

• are aimed at increasing efficiency of the business (particularly livestock production in Less Favoured Areas (LFA)).

D+G01b

Enhance the productivity of the business. Particularly proposals that:

• enhance productivity and the viability of associated businesses (particularly in connection with livestock production in the LFA).

D+G01c

Make the business better able to respond to market demand. Particularly applicants that:

• demonstrate an innovative approach to developing new products and a strong identity for food and drink derived from the Dumfries and Galloway area.

D+G01d

Enhance the quality of the commodities produced by the business. Particularly support for proposals that:

• will add value to local produce within or beyond Dumfries and Galloway (particularly where proposals improve quality and consistency of product).

D+G01e

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
• proposals to implement latest recognised developments/technical advice to improve animal health and welfare.

D+G01f

Facilitate better waste management. Particularly proposals that:

• involve the use of an innovative approach to waste management, e.g. bio-digesters that deal with food and animal waste and as a source of sustainable energy
• involve participation in region or sub-region wide waste recycling schemes.

D+G01g

Mitigate farm pollution and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (in specific areas - see "Water and Soils"). Particularly proposals that:

• implement an innovative approach to waste management
• deliver participation in region or sub-region wide waste recycling schemes.

D+G02

A viable, competitive or sustainable farming sector, through encouraging new entrants to restructure or modernised farm businesses. Particularly proposals that:

• encourage new 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:

D+G03

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 that involve demonstration of best practice and dissemination to other businesses in Dumfries and Galloway. 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, land stewardship, farm waste management
• support new trainees in the 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 crossover into other sectors, e.g. farmers diversifying into forestry/woodlands
• support land managers to increase their skills on incorporating environmental and social objectives into their business activities.