Seòmar agus comataidhean

Tying direct payments to delivering environmental benefits is currently included as part of the common agricultural policy through the greening element, that requires farmers and crofters to deliver measures beneficial for the climate and the environment.

Farmers and crofters rely, above almost anyone else in Scotland, on EU funding as part of their incomes, which helps them to deliver those environmental benefits and other public goods, and we are actively seeking clarity from UK Government on the provision of funding in the event that Scotland is removed from the EU as part of the UK.

The Scottish Government’s priority, following a strong, unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU is to protect Scotland’s interests, and, we are intent on pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU, and seeking to negotiate the best way forward for our farmers, crofters and for Scotland.

In 2016-17, the Scottish Government has committed around £11.8 million to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls, which includes over £5.8 million for women's aid services.

This world-leading target, set as part of our making things last circular economy strategy, will require a great deal of co-operative work across all sectors, including retail, industry, farming and householders. We will be working closely with representation from across these areas to ensure that a comprehensive approach is embedded both in Scottish Government policy and in every day practice for those who grow, sell and consume our food. This will build on the range of strong activity we are already undertaking in this area, which includes continuing support for the Courtauld Commitment and the Love Food Hate Waste programme, and two recent national communications campaigns.

In line with our manifesto commitment, work is already underway to examine the potential to allow more starter opportunities for farmers and crofters on publicly owned land.

Currently there is a wide range of support and schemes available to new entrants to farming and crofting. As shown below:

Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) Support: The SRDP 2014 to 2020 made available £8 million of support to help new entrants start-up. £6 million to young farmers / crofters (no more than 40 years old as governed by European Commission regulation) and £2 million aimed at new entrants of smaller units and where no age restriction applies.

The schemes were both launched on 1 January 2015 and the first round of applications were recently assessed.

Young Farmer (including crofters) Start-Up Grant – Around 90 successful applicants – each will receive the sterling equivalent of 70,000 (claimed in two instalments) subject to satisfactory achievement of milestones laid out in their business plan. Total cost just over £5 million.

New Entrant Start-Up Grant – 14 successful applicants – each will receive the sterling equivalent of 15,000 (claimed in two instalments) subject to satisfactory achievement of milestones laid out in their business plan. Total cost approximately £168,000.

Applications to the second window closed on 30 April 2016 and these will be assessed in the coming months. Separate capital support of up to £25,000 to assist business development projects is available to all new entrants who started their business in the five years preceding their application.

Starter Units: Forest Commission Scotland (FCS) has nine tenanted starter farmers. All are on a 10 year lease. One further site is being progressed in Aberdeenshire. In addition to the FCS programme, in mid-2014, tenants took entry of Scottish Government’s starter farm on land at Balrobert near Inverness.

Separately, a new group has been examining ways of increasing the number of starter opportunities on publicly owned land and aims to around report imminently.

Advice and Mentoring: In September 2016, a new Farm Advisory Service (under the SRDP) will include dedicated provision for new entrants, including a mentoring service.

Crofters have long been concerned at overly complicated and outdated legislation. The Scottish Government intends to modernise crofting law and make it more transparent, understandable and workable in practice, and will do so in the lifetime of this Parliament.

The decision in relation to the timing of a future Crofting Bill will be made in due course, taking into account discussions with stakeholders which are already underway and the other legislative priorities of the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government is currently working on a national development plan for crofting and will publish it in due course.

The Scottish Government is developing a delivery plan for all crofting manifesto commitments. We will work with crofting stakeholders on this matter, including the Crofting Commission, Registers of Scotland and community landowners.

A number of options are currently being explored in relation to providing additional support for croft housing beyond the current croft housing grant scheme.

The Scottish Government takes the issue of bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace very seriously. However, the Scottish Government is not currently considering the appointment of a Scottish anti-bullying “tsar”.