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Kickers:

• First post-Brexit support package unveiled
• Concerns over disappointing lack of detail

By Ewan Pate

SCOTTISH farming has taken its first tentative steps towards a post-Brexit future this week, as Ministers opened a brand new support package for applications.

The 51 million scheme, known as Track One of the National Test Programme; Preparing for Sustainable Farming, gives a good indication of the likely direction of travel after 2024.

As yet, few other details are available about how farm support will be delivered as the old Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is phased out, though direct payments are expected to comprise up to 50 per cent of the overall package.

Track One has been designed, according to the Scottish Government, to give farmers and crofters financial support for activity that will improve awareness of their climate performance.

The main element, which applies only to Region 1 land, is a fixed contribution of 500 per farm towards the cost of preparing an approved carbon audit. Once that is in place, there will be further support towards the cost of soil analysis.

A further element will see suckler beef producers gain access to YourHerdStats, a new online tool in the ScotEID system that will securely present herd management information and highlight opportunities for further improvement.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: We want Scotland to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture and our farmers, crofters and land managers have a crucial role to play in helping us meet our climate emissions and nature restoration targets.

To help them on this journey, we will continue to support active farming and food production with direct payments.

NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy, who has jointly chaired the Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) with Ms Gougeon, said support for carbon auditing and soil testing would assist nutrient management and drive productivity and efficiency at a time when farm businesses are facing a surge in fertiliser prices.

But Scottish Land and Estates had some reservations about the announcement.

Agriculture and climate change policy adviser, Paul Richardson, said: We encourage our members to take up this funding, but we note this is only a small first step.

It is disappointing that the ARIOB has not been able to provide more detail, more quickly on post-CAP policy development. The apparent lack of progress is creating significant uncertainty for Scotlands farmers and land managers.

BOX

Scheme details:

• Standard cost payment of 500 per farm to prepare an accredited carbon audit
• Then soil analysis supported at actual cost, up to a calculated maximum of 30 per hectare on 20 per cent of the farm in any one year
• Also a standard cost payment available for personal development
• All applications to be made online; guidance now available on the Scottish Government website