The food supply chain and agriculture stakeholder group, FAST, met with Scottish Government last week to discuss how to best implement agricultural support.
Members of FAST, who were invited as a critical stakeholder group, represent organisations from across the sector, including tenant farmers, young farmers, landowners, crop growers, and the meat supply chain, and many of the representatives in the room are also farmers or closely linked to grass roots agriculture.
“The aim of the meeting was to understand both sides of the story and how we enable and accelerate co-development and greater engagement,” explained Chair of FAST, Neil Wilson. “It was an opportunity to see how the policy makers are looking to practically deliver the reforms and support payments, and for FAST to feedback to policy advisers on the impact this will have on those on the ground and potential pitfalls and opportunities.
“Although we are very aware it will be Ministers who have the final say in the implementation of the policy, it was good to have constructive discussion with their advisers about the critical need for co-design for it to work effectively on the ground and with some refreshing What If? thinking about how to reduce the administration and paperwork on both sides.”
The meeting was held with then-Deputy Director for Agriculture and Land Transitions, Mandy Callaghan, as well as the Agricultural Reform Programme (ARP) official with responsibility for stakeholder engagement. Mandy was the Senior Responsible Officer for the Programme and who had been heavily involved in its development.
Ms Callaghan recognised the need to use the expertise and knowledge of those managing the land to design the future model and ongoing improvements, and for requirements for support payments to be data and evidence driven. She also explained the need to integrate environmental remits into the agricultural policy to meet the nation’s targets set for 2030.
With the UK now out of the EU, and as agricultural support competes with other draws on Scottish Government funding from the same pot, including education and healthcare, Mr Wilson said it was important that the proposed funding meets the Government’s own goals as well as delivering for the agricultural supply chain to safeguard support into the future:
“The funding needs to be seen to be an investment into the industry. This investment is key for the future of Scotland’s food production, food security and a thriving rural economy, and for the confidence of those in the sector to commit their own money and long-term vision. It cannot risk being changed with the new administration. We want to continue to work with civil servants and ministers to ensure the policy is fit for purpose for both sides, and to support Scottish Government with joined up thinking, processes and communication.
“We do need to accelerate the process though and see Scottish Government be more proactive in co-design and engagement rather than reactive,” added Mr Wilson. “We sincerely hope that the work to date from Ms Callaghan and her refreshing perspective will be carried forward by her replacement.”