June 13th, 2018 by ie-adminIn response to the publication of the National Council of Rural Advisers (NRCA) report “Discussion document: a rural conversation”, Vicki Swales Convenor of LINK’s Land Group and Pete Ritchie Convenor of LINK’s Food and Farming Subgroup issued the following statement:
‘The NCRA was tasked with recommending future action that could sustain a vibrant and flourishing rural economy. Given that the natural environment underpins so much economic activity in rural areas – both in terms of land based businesses such as farming and forestry – and Scotland’s growing tourism and food sectors, it is hugely disappointing to see so little emphasis on the environment in the NCRA report. There is passing reference only to Scotland’s natural capital, and to natural assets being the foundation for a vibrant rural economy, in the introduction. Whilst we welcome the call for the value of environmental impact to be accounted for, some acknowledgement that natural capital is currently being depleted and needs concerted effort to address this is needed.
Tackling climate change – which is already having significant impacts on rural businesses – and halting the loss of biodiversity as well as maintaining healthy soils and water resources, are all essential to future economic prosperity. The report is silent on these challenges and fails to recognise that not responding to them will, ultimately, have economic impacts – both direct costs and missed opportunities for business development. Protecting, maintaining and enhancing our natural environment must be an ambition at the heart of any future rural economic strategy, with a clear plan for how this can be achieved.
The lack of environmental focus in the report reflects, in our view, the make up of the Council itself – with no one appointed to it who explicitly brings environmental knowledge and expertise – and the limited wider engagement to date with individuals and organisations who can provide such input.
While we recognise the positive steps Scottish Government is taking to defend against the damaging consequences of Brexit for the environment, agriculture and the rural economy, we are disappointed with the lack of a coordinated, transparent and inclusive process for developing farm and rural support policy post-2020.
We call on the Scottish Government to start an evidence-based process which fully engages stakeholders -including SEFARI as well as rural local authorities and communities, farming, forestry and environmental interests – in shaping future policy, linked to the recently announced national outcomes and our aspirations for tackling climate change, restoring biodiversity and becoming a good food nation”.
LINK members will be considering how to engage in the consultation launched alongside the report in order to provide more detailed views.
For more information please contact: Daphne Vlastari, LINK Advocacy Manager | Email: daphne@scotlink.org
Notes
[1] The NCRA report can be accessed here: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/5fffcc_9741442988674eefb46be72f9641dbaf.pdf
[2] Scottish Environment LINK’s response to the Agriculture Champions report can be accessed here:
[3] Scottish Environment LINK’s member views are captured here (April 2017): http://www.scotlink.org/public-documents/link-future-of-farming-and-rural-land-use-in-scotland/
[4] Earlier in 2018, LINK commissioned Survation to conduct polling of 1,000 Scots to identify public views on future support payments, with 77% of Scots indicating that they want farming to deliver for our environment and climate.
The Survation poll results are available here: http://www.scotlink.org/public-documents/77-of-scots-want-farming-to-deliver-for-our-environment-and-climate-poll-suggests/
[5] In March 2018, 50 organisations supported a letter coordinated by LINK and NFUS in support of a just transition to carbon neutral farming by 2050.
More information about the letter: http://www.scotlink.org/public-documents/scottish-government-must-drive-just-transition-towards-carbon-neutral-farming-urge-50-ngos-farmers-rural-groups-and-academics/
[6] Other reports commissioned on behalf of the Scottish Government, such as the recommendations of the paper by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Greening Group on developing principles for greening beyond the context of the current CAP provides clear recommendations in terms of a vision for farming, funding as well as suggestions for a framework for future policy and support mechanisms.
The final paper can be accessed here: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/cap-greening-group-discussion-paper/. The group was chaired by Professor Russel Griggs and was established at the request of Scottish Ministers in February 2017.
//ends/
On 5 June, in celebration of World Environment Day, Scottish Environment LINK members are launching their Species Champion 100-day Challenge. For 100 days over 100 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who have accepted to become a Species Champion will be participating in a series of actions raising awareness about their selected species, encouraging policy changes in support of their species and raising awareness about wider biodiversity concerns in Scotland.
LINK’s award-winning initiative “Species Champions” pairs MSPs with species that are under threat in Scotland. With almost 1 in 10 species in Scotland at risk of extinction, political support for protecting our precious natural environment has never been more critical.
Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South Constituency and Convener of the Scottish Parliament Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee commented:
“Being Species Champion for the Woolly willow has been, and continues to be, an enjoyable learning experience. I am delighted that there are now 100 MSPs committed to championing species. The 100-day challenge will provide a good focal point for this and I look forward to hearing about the actions taken by MSPs to promote their species.”
Craig Macadam, Scottish Environment LINK Vice-Chair and Wildlife Subgroup Convenor added:
“With the support of over 100 MSP Species Champions, representing 78% of the Scottish Parliament and covering every corner of Scotland we hope to put biodiversity at the centre of the Parliament’s attention. Our environment has no voice so we need Species Champions to stand up for it.
From planning to agriculture and from tourism to healthcare, the protection and enhancement of our biodiversity must be acknowledged as a key ingredient to our success as a nation – and our policies need to reflect that. If we don’t, we will fall short on our 2020 global biodiversity commitments and our ambitions for a sustainable Scotland.”
Read the full press release here
Keep up to date with the most recent news on the challenge on twitter, by clicking here or searching the hashtag #Species100
In response to the publication of the Report by the Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change on Environmental Governance in Scotland on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, Scottish Environment LINK Chair, Charles Dundas of Woodland Trust Scotland stated:
“We welcome the publication of the report and its recommendations to address the environmental governance gap created as a result of the UK’s departure from the EU. We need robust mechanisms to ensure that we continue to monitor, implement and enforce environmental protections. To achieve this a suite of measures are needed, including a means for citizens, communities and NGOs to raise concerns and complaints. This may be best achieved by the creation of a “watchdog” body, that is empowered to refer cases of non-compliance to the courts, possibly in first instance of an environmental court.
We look forward to engaging on this issue with the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament and hope that a UK-wide discussion can take place with the administrations of the four countries of the UK recognising these are joint challenges that need to be addressed in a way consistent with devolution.”
For more information please contact Daphne Vlastari, Scottish Environment LINK Advocacy Manager: daphne@scotlink.org, 0757 211 33 79.
Editors notes:
(1) The Report by the Roundtable on Environment and Climate Change on Environmental Governance in Scotland on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU can be viewed here: www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/2221
The expert group involved in making the assessments included in this report has focused on maintaining Scotland’s global position as a leader in environmental governance and performance. Whilst much may depend on UK:EU negotiations and arrangements provided and agreed with the UK in due course, and much remains uncertain at this point, consideration is given directly to Scotland’s policy and governance needs and to the main issues arising. Key areas where there is a risk of disadvantage without intervention concern access to expertise in professional policy and practice networks,access to skills and the value of oversight mechanisms provided by the Commission and the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) around verifying compliance with and enforcement of environmental law. Options for retaining membership of professional networks and securing appropriate oversight mechanisms are considered.
(2) Members of the expert group included representatives from LINK members: Lloyd Austin of RSPB Scotland, and Jonny Hughes of Scottish Wildlife Trust.
(3) Scottish Environment LINK views on the governance gap are captured in the following briefing: http://www.scotlink.org/files/documents/LINK-submission-to-Finance-and-Constitution-Committee-on-impact-of-EU-Withdrawal-Bill-on-devolution-settlement-and-expected-LCM.pdf
Ahead of the Stage 1 debate on the Planning (Scotland) Bill (Tuesday 29 May, 14.20), Scottish Environment LINK members welcomed interventions by MSPs in support of reforming our planning system so that it empowers communities and delivers for our environment.
“At a time when the Government’s own research concluded that there is ‘a lack of trust, respect and confidence in the system’ and that ‘the system is not considered to be fair and equitable’, a business as usual approach is not an option. We can’t afford to just tinker around the edges of planning.
“We are thankful to the Local Government and Communities Committee which did an extraordinary job in highlighting concerns and areas of improvement in the Bill. They have heard environmental NGOs, community groups and over 1,200 Scots who wrote to their MSPs asking them for real changes in planning for a more sustainable and fairer Scotland”, said Aedán Smith MRTPI, Convener of LINK’s Planning Group and Head of Planning and Development at RSPB Scotland.
“Planning is how we test our commitment to policy goals on the ground. Planning regulates the spatial manifestation of those ambitions across our country. Scotland was one of the first countries to sign up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we cherish aspirations expressed in the National Performance Framework about wellbeing, community empowerment and environmental protection, and are proud of our natural environment and its importance because of its intrinsic value, as highlighted by the First Minister in a recent speech. If we are serious about making Scotland a fairer, more sustainable and more inclusive society, we need to legislate for it in planning”, added Aedán.
“Scotland’s communities have been more active than ever before asking politicians for an equal say in planning. A lot of the debate has focused on the absence of community voices when it comes to appeals, largely because there was little opportunity to air those issues when the Bill was being developed. We are encouraged by the Committee’s conclusions that ‘the availability of appeals to applicants undermines confidence in a plan-led system’ and believe that our proposals for a limited right of appeal with practical and enforceable criteria can address these issues”, said Clare Symonds Deputy Convenor of LINK’s Planning Group and Chair of Planning Democracy.
“We do not accept that equalising appeals will make Scotland less competitive – it will simply promote the right kind of development. Arguing that x amount of houses or other infrastructure went ahead via appeal when planning authorities had ruled them out is not an argument in favour of appeal rights for applicants, it is simply an illustration of how the appeals system today is compromising our shared commitment to planning on the basis of agreed plans – a principle supported by Scottish Government – and disenfranchising those communities participating in planning decisions in the process”, added Clare.
Prior to the Stage 1 debate, over 85 community councils, environmental charities and academics wrote to Minister for Local Government and Housing Kevin Stewart asking him to reconsider the Scottish Government position on appeal rights.
A week earlier, community groups, led by Planning Democracy, gathered in front of the Scottish Parliament and raised their own development to showcase how important it is to have a say over their local places.
Community groups calling for an equal right of appeal reflected on the planning bill and their experiences engaging with Scottish planning:
Ann Coleman from Greengairs in North Lanarkshire said:
“Our local, adjoining 5 community groups including Community Councils participated fully in the previous review of the Planning and Development system. We did everything that was asked of us and succeeded in influencing the Structure and Local Development Plan Land use Designation for our area. We were told that early engagement would give us influence over our environment – it didn’t – a developer who didn’t engage in the early stages still had their development approved despite the fact that by that time it was contrary to the emerging Development Plans and land use designation. We were ignored and told that there would be no Public Inquiry. We had done as the system asked of us and still we had no voice. There is no change in the current review that will resolve the inequalities in the system or make the public voice accountable without the inclusion of an equal right of appeal.
The Basics haven’t changed, Culture Change based on developing “mutual respect and understanding” hasn’t been delivered nor is it mentioned in the present review as relevant to change despite the fact that communities that are still being disrespectfully called “Nimbies”. The Language still isn’t public friendly nor are the processes or the resources, the review falls short of what is needed to deliver effective public involvement and influence.”
A spokesperson for the Save Bishopbriggs Canal Greenspace Campaign n East Dunbartonshire said:
“Thousands of people oppose the Jellyhill development because it is inappropriate and too dense for the setting of the Forth and Clyde Canal. The planned over-development of the area will have major implications on local amenities and traffic. Despite being unanimously refused by East Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning Board, the developer appealed to the Scottish Government and won their appeal. The local community remains concerned about issues of subsidence. Unfortunately, local knowledge of the area was discarded in favour of the developer’s plans. Astonishingly the developer’s plans do not fully conform with local plans and policies, yet currently planning policy does not allow the local community the opportunity to appeal. How are communities supposed to trust and have confidence in a planning system that disregards concerns of communities that are inflicted by unsuitable developments? This is planning by imposition not consensus, and it’s not democratic. We ask the Scottish Government to rebalance the current unfair system in favour of communities.”
For more information, about the Planning Bill please contact:
Aedán Smith MRTPI, Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK Planning Group, RSPB Scotland Head of Planning and Development | E-mail aedan.smith@rspb.org.uk | Tel 0131 317 4100
Daphne Vlastari, Scottish Environment LINK Advocacy Manager | E-mail: daphne@scotlink.org | Tel 0131 225 43 45 / 0757 211 33 79
For more information, about community engagement with the Planning Bill and photos of the recent demonstration, please contact:
Clare Symonds Deputy Convenor of LINK’s Planning Group and Chair of Planning Democracy | E-mail: info@planningdemocracy.org.uk | Tel 0781 387 48 05
To download the full press release click here.
Editors’ Notes
(1) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member-bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
LINK is a Scottish Charity (SC000296) and a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee (SC250899). LINK is core funded by Membership Subscriptions and by grants from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Charitable Trusts.
ukvps3.ie-dev.co.uk/scotlink-wordpress/
www.savescottishseas.org
(2) Research conducted by Scottish Government on “Barriers to Community Engagement” revealed that
“there is a lack of trust, respect and confidence in the system”; “the system is not considered to be fair and equitable”; “there is a gap between the rhetoric of community empowerment and communities’ experience of trying to influence the planning system” and that “experience suggests that engagement rarely changes planning outcomes”. To view the research document: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/barriers-to-community-engagement-in-planning-research/
A survey by the National Trust for Scotland found that 90% of those asked wanted local communities “to have the same rights of appeal in the planning system as enjoyed by developers”. The survey further found that less than half of people asked felt their local greenspaces and natural heritage was being protected by the planning system, while the research found that “there is a lack of clarity about the purpose of engagement”.
The NTS survey results are available here: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/planning-without-the-people.
(3) In March 2018, Scottish Environment LINK issues an e-action calling on members of the public to write to their MSPs in support of fairer planning system that protects our environment and empowers communities. For more information and up-to-date figures visit: https://act.foe.scot/help-plan-better-scotland
(4) The open letter supported by 87 community groups, environmental charities, academics and other organisations can be found here: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4486408/Open-Letter-to-the-Minister.pdf
It was publicised in The Sunday Herald and The Ferret:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16252711.Call_to_empower_communities_in_fight_against_developers/
https://theferret.scot/bid-power-communities-fighting-developers/
(5) Scottish Environment LINK’s briefing ahead of the Stage 1 debate can be found here: http://www.scotlink.org/files/Scottish-Environment-LINK-Planning-Bill-Stage-1-Debate-Briefing_25May2018.pdf
Among other things, LINK members are calling for a limited right of appeal for communities (of place and interest) on the basis of straight-forward and practical criteria, focusing on the provisions of the Development Plan.
In response to the publication of the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) 2017 report on Scotland’s progress towards the 2020 Aichi Targets on biodiversity, Scottish Environment LINK members urge Scottish Government to step up efforts to halt biodiversity loss.
Out of the 20 targets that Scotland is committed to meeting in less than two years, only 7 are on track. For 12 targets progress is insufficient and “unless we increase our efforts the target[s] will not be met by [the] deadline”, according to the report. The remaining critical target that tracks financial resources available, which are key to delivering many of the other targets, is falling, meaning that we are moving away from the target. The report highlights that “total funding figures for most of the Scottish organisations that have some biodiversity remit have also declined in the last 5 years”.
Commenting on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK members:
Charles Dundas, Scottish Environment LINK Chair said: “With almost 1 in 10 species in Scotland at risk of extinction, biodiversity loss is happening at our doorstep. We simply cannot afford to repeat history and miss the 2020 deadline, as happened in 2010. We call on Scottish Government and SNH to refocus efforts ahead of 2020 and to consider strategic opportunities for more effective action beyond 2020. Our members are ready to engage in a constructive way and help support an ambitious path forward for the protection of our natural environment.”
Craig Macadam, Scottish Environment LINK Vice-Chair and Wildlife Subgroup Convenor added: “The SNH report findings reveal a very mixed picture of our progress towards meeting the Aichi Targets. Our members are involved in the delivery of many of the projects that contribute towards halting biodiversity loss, but with diminishing financial resources available for conservation work, our environment, already vulnerable due to climate change and other human activities, will suffer.”
Contact details
Craig Macadam, LINK Wildlife Subgroup Convenor: craig.macadam@buglife.org.uk
or Daphne Vlastari, LINK Advocacy Manager: daphne@scotlink.org, 0131 225 4345
Editors’ Notes
(1) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society. ukvps3.ie-dev.co.uk/scotlink-wordpress/ / www.savescottishseas.org
LINK is a Scottish Charity (SC000296) and a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee (SC250899). LINK is core funded by Membership Subscriptions and by grants from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Charitable Trusts.
(2) Scotland’s Biodiversity Progress to 2020 Aichi Targets Interim Report 2017 is available here: https://www.snhpresscentre.com/resources/3lfef-0uagk-5qmqq-3b8t0-41k91
(3) On 26 March 2018, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), described as the “IPCC for biodiversity”, released the results of the most comprehensive biodiversity study in more than a decade, written by more than 500 experts from over 100 countries. It concluded that such is the rate of decline that the risks posed by biodiversity loss should be considered on the same scale as those of climate change. Human destruction of nature is rapidly eroding the world’s capacity to provide food, water and security to billions of people. This alarming trend endangers economies, livelihoods, food security and the quality of life of people everywhere. For more information about IPBES and its assessments visit www.ipbes.net
(4) In a report developed in 2016 by a coalition of 53 wildlife organisations, many of which are members of Scottish Environment LINK, it was revealed that almost one in ten Scottish species are at risk of extinction.
The State of Nature 2016: Scotland highlights that there is grave concern particularly for some species including more than half of vascular plants, such as juniper, and 39% of butterflies. There are also serious concerns for a quarter of Scotland’s birds including upland species such as dotterel and curlew, and seabirds such as puffins and kittiwakes.
The State of Nature report confirms that our nature is facing great pressures from land-use change while climate change and human activities are having a particular impact on internationally important marine habitats and species, resulting in declines and alterations to species’ distributions and community composition.
What is more, Scotland’s Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) is 81.3% when values under 90% indicate that “ecosystems may have fallen below the point at which they can reliably meet society’s needs” (Hayhow et al., 2016: 3). Scotland ranks in the bottom fifth of all 218 countries analysed; 36th from the bottom.
This level of degradation reflects historical losses that took place in the course of the 20th century and further back. Given the significant losses that we have already incurred in Scotland, it is of paramount importance that we work to safeguard and enhance our environment going forward. Indeed, still today we are working to redress errors of the past such as: i) Commercial afforestation and drainage resulted in the loss of 44% of Scotland’s blanket peat bog between the 1940s and the 1980s; ii) Although grasslands cover around one-quarter of Scotland, after decades of human intervention less than 1% of this is semi-natural. Between the 1940s and 1980s, the area of broadleaved and mixed woodland fell by 23% and 37% respectively, and native Caledonian pine forests now cover less than 90,000 hectares – just over 6% of the original area.
The importance of nature in Scotland is apparent, not just in terms of natural and cultural wealth but also the economic benefits it brings: 14% of jobs are supported by the natural environment.
Scottish Environment LINK members warmly welcome the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee has today set out its recommendations to strengthen the Scottish Government’s Planning (Scotland) Bill. Planning influences and regulates the use of land and as such can have huge environmental consequences and drive sustainable development.
Scottish Environment LINK members and their supporters are therefore frequently involved in the planning process and LINK has been involved throughout the reforms leading up to the current bill.
Commenting on the recently published committee report on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK:
Aedán Smith, Convener of the Scottish Environment LINK Planning Group said:
“We welcome this report from the Local Government and Communities Committee. A strong and effective planning system is critical to achieving sustainable development and many of the Committee’s recommendations would help the planning system make Scotland a better place for people and the environment. However, there are a number of areas where the Planning Bill needs to be improved further. For example, we are particularly concerned about the proposal to remove ‘Main Issues Reports’ from development plans, which could seriously reduce opportunities for planning authorities, developers and communities to identify and agree on the most sustainable development options for local areas. We hope these issues will be able to be addressed as the Bill progresses.”
Clare Symonds, Deputy Convener of the Scottish Environment LINK Planning Group said:
“We commend the cross-party Local Government and Communities Committee for their well-considered and thorough examination of the Planning Bill and for taking into account the views of those who took part in the consultation. The committee has recognised the value of planning, the need for the purpose for planning to be explicitly identified in the Bill and the importance of community engagement in the process. Many of the recommendations of the report, particularly the introduction of a purpose for planning and the strengthening of community engagement, are critical to improve planning and address the widespread feelings of distrust within communities. Importantly, for communities throughout Scotland who are calling for equal rights of appeal, the report urges the Scottish Government to review appeal rights, emphasising that people should be engaged in planning ‘at all stages’. We hope that the Scottish Government will recognise the over-whelming call for equal rights for communities on appeals and will use this opportunity to address long-standing concerns about inequality, rectifying a longstanding injustice in Scotland’s planning system”
Download the press release here.
Contact details
Aedán Smith MRTPI, Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK Planning Group, RSPB Scotland Head of Planning and Development
E-mail aedan.smith@rspb.org.uk
Tel 0131 317 4100
Daphne Vlastari, Scottish Environment LINK Advocacy Manager
E-mail: daphne@scotlink.org
Tel 0131 225 43 45
Editors’ Notes
(1) The Local Government and Communities Committee have made wide ranging recommendations, reflecting the broad nature of the bill and its potential impact on Scotland’s people and environment. LINK broadly welcomes many of the recommendations, many of which complement the recommendations LINK have made. In particular, LINK welcomes recommendations for the Bill to set out a purpose for planning, to improve coherence with other policy areas such as climate change and to make a number of improvements to development plans. However, LINK remains concerned that the Bill’s proposals to remove “Main Issues Reports” from development plans could seriously reduce opportunities for community engagement and environmental scrutiny. The Bill also does not go nearly far enough to balance the appeal rights of applicants and communities.
(2) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
LINK is a Scottish Charity (SC000296) and a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee (SC250899). LINK is core funded by Membership Subscriptions and by grants from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Charitable Trusts.
ukvps3.ie-dev.co.uk/scotlink-wordpress/
www.savescottishseas.org
(3) Scottish Environment LINK Stage 1 Briefing to the Planning Bill is available here: http://www.scotlink.org/files/Scottish-Environment-LINK-Planning-Bill-Stage-1-Briefing_May2018_FINALdraft.pdf
Scottish Environment LINK evidence to the Local Government and Communities Committee on the Planning Bill is available here: http://www.scotlink.org/public-documents/link-evidence-submission-on-the-planning-bill/
(4) The Local Government and Communities Committee report on the Planning Bill is available here: https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/Report/LGC/2018/5/17/Stage-1-Report-on-the-Planning–Scotland–Bill
(5) Help us plan a better Scotland: Support our e-action: https://act.foe.scot/help-plan-better-scotland
In response to the public consultation launched on 10 May by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Environment LINK Chair Charles Dundas of Woodland Trust Scotland noted the following:
“We note the publication of the Defra England and UK reserved matters consultation on the creation of a new independent environmental watchdog and the application of environmental principles. The issues that the consultation seeks to address are common to all four countries of the UK and emanate as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU. Given the devolved nature of environmental policy, we have welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that the internationally recognised principles of environmental law captured in EU Treaties are carried forward in domestic law in Scotland. What is more, the Scottish Government has committed to addressing the entire spectrum of governance functions that so far have been carried out by EU bodies, including the critical role of the European Commission and European Court of Justice. We expect the Scottish Government proposals on environmental governance and principles to deliver the highest levels of environmental protection and accountability and drive ambition across the UK.”
For more information, please contact Daphne Vlastari, Scottish Environment LINK Advocacy Manager (daphne@scotlink.org; 0131 225 4345)
A poll of 1,000 Scots conducted by Survation on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK reveals overwhelming public support in favour of a farm subsidy system that delivers for the environment.
77% of respondents would like to see farm support be conditional to land managers showing that they are supporting wildlife and are reducing climate impacts.
The poll suggests that people want to see a variety of issues addressed by our farming sector such as reducing the use of pesticides and antibiotics, promoting organic production and increasing animal welfare. To pursue those objectives, farmers also need support to enhance skills and knowledge, sustain the sector in the long-term by supporting young farmers and enabling farmers to supply local shops, markets, schools and hospitals.
This poll confirms public support for Scottish farming as a sector and an appetite to see Scottish farmers thrive while enhancing our environment and landscape.
Commenting on the survey results, Pete Ritchie Leader of LINK’s food and farming subgroup said:
“We knew the Scottish public were concerned about the environment, but this poll shows very high levels of cross-party support for a food and farming policy which delivers public goods and a strong local food economy. The forthcoming Good Food Nation bill offers a great opportunity to refocus public support for farming on delivering public value.”
Vicki Swales, Head of Land Use Policy for RSPB Scotland and Convenor of LINK’s Land Group commented:
“We think it is right that public money is used to support farming and crofting but it must be well targeted and focused on delivering public goods. That means supporting farmers and crofters for managing their land in ways that are good for wildlife, reduces climate warming greenhouse gases and improves water quality, amongst other things. This poll shows that is what the majority of the public also want. We urge the Scottish Government to develop farming policy now that will deliver this.”
Scottish Environment LINK wants to see farming thrive in Scotland, as part of a sustainable rural economy and cohesive rural communities. Farming can increase biodiversity, deliver positive animal welfare for farm animals, support nature tourism, create good jobs and deliver a wide range of public goods such as clean water, flood protection, locking up carbon and iconic landscapes. This can be best achieved by ensuring that public policy on farming is part of wider policy debate on the sort of Scotland we want to live in – linked in to our commitments on the Sustainable Development Goals, on biodiversity, on climate change, on land reform, and on reducing poverty and inequality.
To do this, regardless of the outcome of current Brexit discussions, and with respect for the devolution settlement, Scottish Environment LINK members support that we:
- Retain current levels of public investment in our rural areas. The challenges facing farming, crofting and other rural land use businesses and the environment are too great to ignore and we cannot afford to lower the level of public expenditure in the rural sector. Without public investment, these challenges will not be met and opportunities will be missed.
- Reshape how we spend public money, allocating resources in three main ways:
- public money for public goods with the lion’s share of resources focused on this;
- investments to facilitate change such as helping farming, crofting, forestry and other rural businesses adapt and develop, improve business efficiency and explore market opportunities; and,
- investments in supporting activities including research, knowledge transfer, advice and training.
- Renew our rural areas for the benefit of all of us: rewarding farmers, foresters and other land managers for the full range of goods and services they provide and helping rural businesses become more profitable and sustainable; protecting and enhancing the environment and the natural resources that underpin economic activity; and, spending taxpayers’ money effectively, helping to create good livelihoods and jobs and contributing to our health and wellbeing.
Contact details
Pete Ritchie, Leader of the LINKs Food and Farming Subgroup & Executive Director at Nourish Scotland
pete@nourishscotland.org.uk
or Daphne Vlastari, Scottish Environment LINK Advocacy Manager
daphne@scotlink.org, 0757 211 33 79
Editors’ Notes
[1] Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
LINK is a Scottish Charity (SC000296) and a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee (SC250899). LINK is core funded by Membership Subscriptions and by grants from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Charitable Trusts.
ukvps3.ie-dev.co.uk/scotlink-wordpress/
www.savescottishseas.org
ukvps3.ie-dev.co.uk/scotlink-wordpress//local
[2] Survation is market research firm who are trusted partners to well-known brands and organisations in the UK. http://survation.com/who-are-we/
[3] The survey results were published in “The Scotsman”, read the full article here: https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/poll-most-scots-want-farmer-payments-tied-to-nature-protection-1-4734005
[4] Full survey results available here: http://survation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CAP-Poll-ScotLINK-Tables.pdf
[5] LINK’s position paper on the “Future of Farming and Rural Land Use in Scotland” is available here: http://www.scotlink.org/files/LINK-Future-of-Farming-and-Rural-Land-Management_March2017.pdf
[6] Download the full press release here.
Read our press release published today (Tuesday 27 March) on the feasibility of an Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland
LINKPREnvironmentalRightsCentreScotland
Fifty organisations, academics and individual farmers[1] including the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Crofting Federation and Scottish Environment LINK members are calling on the Scottish Government to do more to help agriculture turn a corner and substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
In a joint letter[2], the signatories urge Cabinet Secretaries Roseanna Cunningham and Fergus Ewing to support farming practices that are less damaging to our climate, putting us on a path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2050.
Pete Smith, Professor of Soils and Global Change at University of Aberdeen Science and Director of Scotland’s ClimateXChange said:
‘The land sector contributes about 24% of all human greenhouse gas emissions, so action in farming needs to be part of the climate solution. By adopting this ambitious net carbon neutral target for the agricultural sector, Scotland has the opportunity to lead the world toward the goals and targets set out under the Paris Agreement.’
Jim Densham, from RSPB Scotland, said:
‘Farmers and crofters can help halt climate change by adopting carbon-neutral farming systems and practices. Such action can help farmland wildlife at the same time; the benefits go hand in hand. It’s clear there is widespread demand for Government to take action and put in place a strong suite of policies to make the transition to these systems the obvious choice for all farmers and crofters’
Pete Richie, Executive Director of Nourish Scotland and Leader of Scottish Environment LINK’s Food and Farming Subgroup, said:
‘We welcome this commitment from the farming sector and others to an ambitious long-term target to tackle climate change. All farmers, large and small, tenants and owners now need the support and knowhow to help them deliver’.
Andrew McCornick, President of NFU Scotland, said:
‘Scotland’s farmers and crofters deliver a huge amount for the environment whilst producing high quality food. With the right support, I am confident we can increase this alongside reducing our emissions and increasing our profitability. That bright future is a goal we should all unite around and I am delighted to see the widespread support it has already secured.’
Davide Johnstone, Chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said:
‘Scottish Land & Estates is pleased to support this drive towards carbon-neutral farming. No sector should be immune from our collective efforts to tackle climate change and farmers and land managers have a vital role to play. Some of the changes that we need to see will be challenging to established ways of doing things, but with the right policies in place, and the right support, advice and training, farmers and land managers can deliver a great deal.’
Individual farmers also commented:
Carey Coombs from Weston Farm[3] said: ‘Scottish farmers have always been great innovators. Given the chance they will grasp the opportunities to be at the forefront of the adoption of modern farming techniques that will integrate quality food production within balanced agri-ecological systems.’
Antonia Ineson, from Myreside Organics[4] said: ‘Addressing climate change through farming systems which protect soils, avoid the use of artificial fertilisers, and sell efficiently to local markets needs to be a key part of Scotland’s new Climate Change Bill.’
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For more information, please contact:
Phoebe Cochrane, Scottish Environment LINK climate change policy officer | E-mail: Phoebe@scotlink.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
[1] The full list of signatories includes:
Organisations: Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), Biodynamic Association, Buglife Scotland, Caledonian Organic, Church of Scotland, Compassion in World Farming, Commonweal, Community Land Scotland, Cyrenians Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Food Ethics Council, Froglife Trust Scotland, Glasgow Community Food Network, Global Justice Now, National Trust for Scotland, NFU Scotland, Nourish Scotland, Organic Growers Alliance, Permaculture Scotland, Propagate, RSPB Scotland, Royal Scottish Geographic Society, Scotland the Bread, Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society, Scottish Badgers, Scottish Crofting Federation, Scottish Farming and Wildlife Advisors Group, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Organic Forum, Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA), Scottish Rural Action, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Wild Land Group, Soil Association Scotland, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, Tweed Forum, Unite Scotland, Woodland Trust & WWF Scotland.
Individuals: Professor James Curran; John B Cameron, Member, Livestock Health Scotland; Professor Dave Reay, Professor of Carbon Management, University of Edinburgh; Professor Pete Smith, Professor of Soils and Global Change, University of Aberdeen; Lorna Murray, Member of Scottish Churches Rural Group & Professor Davy McCracken, Head of SRUC’s Hill and Mountain Research Centre.
Individual farmers: Antonia Ineson, Myreside Organics Hazel Mackenzie, Shetland crofter, member of the Nature Friendly Farming Network & Michael Clarke, Dumfriesshire Farmer, member of the Nature Friendly Farming Network Carey Coombs, Farmer
[2] The letter can be accessed here.
[3] Western Farm is 350 ha livestock farm in Dunsyre. It specialises in Upland beef and sheep – pedigree beef Shorthorns and commercial Lleyn ewes.
[4] Myreside Organics is a small market garden on a longstanding mixed organic farm in Perthshire. It grows salads and vegetables for sale in the local area, through farmers markets, to restaurants and to customers who live nearby. The aim is to produce food which is sustainable, in soil which stores carbon, in a way which protects biodiversity
[5] Further background information:
• Agriculture currently contributes 22.5%1 of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions and needs to bring its emissions down, along with other sectors, if we are to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• The UK Committee on Climate Change found that ‘Overall, the ambition in the agricultural sector and the focus on voluntary measures is concerning. Agriculture will need to make a greater contribution to meeting emissions targets.’
• The upcoming Scottish Climate Bill is an opportunity to bring forward new legislation to drive a change in agriculture. Consultation on the content of the Bill closed in Autumn 2017. The Bill is expected in May 2018.
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