‘Delivery key’ as rural support plan is outlined
‘These ambitions can only be achieved if farm businesses remain profitable’
The Scottish Government has been warned that delivery will be key after it launched its Rural Support Plan (RSP) this week.
The plan sets out the framework for support from 2026 to 2030 and aims to provide increased clarity on both policy direction and future funding.
NFU Scotland said the RSP confirms and locks in significant direct support commitments it has secured over recent years, alongside a move to multi-year funding, providing greater certainty for farmers and crofters.
NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said: “This is a significant milestone in moving to a new, domestically designed support system. Crucially, it confirms and locks in the direct support commitments we have worked hard to secure in recent years.
"That provides a level of stability and certainty that is vital for farm businesses as they plan, invest and adapt for the future. It is also encouraging to see the clear emphasis on direct support, recognising its importance to the viability of many farming and crofting businesses.”
The union said the Plan’s overall objective - supporting food production, climate action, biodiversity and rural communities - is widely shared across the industry.
However, it warned that delivery will be key.
“These ambitions can only be achieved if farm businesses remain profitable. While the framework is positive, more detail is needed on how schemes will operate in practice and how existing support will transition into the new system.
"There are also real concerns around a ‘flat-lining’ budget. A static £677 million settlement over five years represents a cut in real terms, particularly as input costs such as feed, fuel and fertiliser continue to rise. That runs counter to our long-standing call for increased investment in agricultural support.”
NFU Scotland also stressed the need for schemes to be practical, proportionate and properly funded.
“Farmers and crofters are ready to deliver for climate and nature, but support must reflect the true cost of doing so and avoid unnecessary complexity.”
The Union added that food production must remain central to future policy.
“Scotland’s farmers already produce high-quality food to some of the highest standards. That role must sit alongside environmental ambition.”
NFU Scotland said that the RSP provides a solid foundation, with the focus now on getting the detail right. As the policy framework continues to develop, it said it would continue to champion members’ priorities through its engagement with the next Scottish Government and a programme of election hustings, giving farmers and crofters the opportunity to engage directly with political parties on the future direction of Scottish agriculture.
Buckie sheep farmer and Scottish Conservative shadow rural affairs secretary Tim Eagle meanwhile was more dismissive, calling the RSP worthless.
He said: “This Rural Support Plan is nothing more than a word salad that isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.
“So many of the industry’s asks have fallen on deaf ears, including calls for multi-annual funding, which the Scottish Government has refused to commit to.
“Farmers and crofters were expecting clarity on environmental schemes, whether payments would be capped or front-loaded on basic support, whether the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme would be rebased and what specifically would be given for new entrants or young farmers.
“Alarmingly, this document shows real-terms cuts every year for the next five years.
“The document is empty of any key information, which ultimately means farmers won’t be able to plan ahead, resulting in huge uncertainty over what the future looks like for their businesses and rural areas.
“The Scottish Government has deliberately left the release of this document until the final days of parliament to ensure the future of farming can’t be scrutinised.
“That should tell every farmer what the SNP thinks of them at one of the greatest times of need for the industry.
“Yet again, the SNP are treating Scotland’s agriculture sector as an afterthought and this so-called support plan will do little to restore confidence in the industry.”
RSPB Scotland meanwhile said the RSP was “stuck in the past” and falls short.
Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “We are extremely disappointed in the Rural Support Plan. And, frankly, Scotland’s farmers and crofters deserve better.
"They are at the forefront of feeling the impacts of climate change. And are being asked to produce food at the same time as helping tackle the nature and climate crisis, yet the farm payment budget will remain static. This means government support is reducing in real terms when there are very good reasons for boosting the budget to help farmers and crofters deliver.
"We are particularly disappointed in how the farm payment budget will be used over the coming years. With a static budget, every pound must work harder to deliver positive outcomes. Instead, this plan signals a continuation of the status quo. While some funds will be moved towards delivering better outcomes in 2030-31, it is too little and too late.
"The government has declared a climate and nature emergency and committed to take early action. Making a small change in four years’ time, when we’ve been discussing this for many years, doesn’t feel much like early or emergency action.”