The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities

Relevant Packages

1. Capital investment in agricultural businesses where the investment will:

HIG01a

a. reduce production costs. Particularly proposals that:

• increase the efficiency of the business by reducing production costs or the unit cost of production.

HIG01b

b. enhance the productivity of the business and particularly proposals that:

• enhance the productivity and viability of associated businesses in Highland.

HIG01c

c. make the business better able to respond to market demand. Particularly proposals that:

• will enable the business to demonstrably respond to market signals and demands and especially where supported by a feasibility study/plan
• enhance development of new products with a strong local identity
• will result in the direct marketing in Highland or beyond of local produce
• relate to the promoting of local produce.

HIG01d

d. enhance the quality of the commodities produced by the business. Particularly proposals that:

• add value to Highland produce within/beyond Highland
• improve the quality of products to meet industry best practice standards
• provide for the production locally of a consistently higher quality product.

HIG01e

e. maintain and improve animal health and welfare standards. Particularly proposals:

• involving participation in a recognised animal health scheme and which improves the welfare and subsequent marketability of livestock
• that demonstrably further improve and develop animal health and welfare standards through best use of the latest technical advice and knowledge.

HIG01f

f. facilitate better waste management. Particularly proposals that:

• enable improved management of waste, particularly where helping to reduce use of artificial fertilisers or deliver resources for further treatment, e.g. bio-digester proposals
• involve participation in region or sub-region wide waste recycling schemes, e.g. farm plastics.

HIG01g

g. mitigate farm pollution and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (in specific areas - ref. "Water and Soils Priorities"). Particularly proposals that:

• include an innovative approach to deal effectively with farm pollutants/green house emissions particularly animal and feed waste
• will result in improved business performance.

HIG02

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

In particular, proposals that encourage new entrants to provide or upgrade buildings and associated structures, necessary fixed equipment, infrastructure information technology and associated fees where it can be shown that these investments:

• are an essential part of the infrastructure or re-orientation of the business
• the investment will result in improvements in business viability, environmental management, health and safety, succession planning and/or create employment opportunities.

HIG03

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 vocational training (especially where it complements other capital investments or changes in business structure or orientation). Particularly proposals that:

• improve business competitiveness, sustainability or innovation by supporting farmers, crofters, foresters, sporting and other land managers to undertake practical, vocational or business skills training - particularly where it complements other capital investments or changes in business structure or orientation and/or where no other funding is available
• support new trainees in the farming and land use sectors where there is a demonstrable skills gap
• introduce new trainees into core land use sectors particularly those that encourage existing land managers to cross over onto other sectors
• enable land managers to increase their skills on incorporating environmental and social objectives into their business