Crofting

The movement to build a better future for our farms and for Scottish soil is building momentum with a two-day festival lined up in Fife this summer.

The deadline for submitting the Single Application Form (SAF) application is fast approaching and farmers and crofters are being encouraged to submit their applications before the window closes on Wednesday 15 May.

Applications submitted by the deadline can be amended, added to, or increased, up until 31 May without penalty.

The findings of the Scottish Small Producer Access to Abattoirs Report, published this week, highlight the various challenges facing producers who require ‘private kill’ services in Scotland, and the abattoirs providing them.

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands today announced the reappointment of John Connelly, Malcolm Currie, Denise Penny and Sue Stahly as Independent Members of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, has signed off the 'Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill - Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment'. 

The new Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill aims to provide the legal framework to deliver:

Police Scotland, National Rural & Acquisitive Crime Unit (NRACU) have issued a warning about the impacts of Livestock attacks and worrying.

Livestock attacks and worrying is the phrase used when a dog attacks or worries livestock animals in rural and farmland areas.

Sheep producers who have lost livestock to sea-eagles will continue to receive support from Scottish Government for 2024. Up to £400,000 has been allocated to the Sea Eagle Management Scheme (SEMS) to help farmers explore different management techniques and trial new prevention measures.

Land managers in receipt of financial support through long-term Management Agreements as part of the scheme have been assured payments will continue this year.

This week the Crofting Commission announced a new initiative designed to strengthen the crofting sector by engaging with landlords of vacant crofts. This project aims to ensure landlords are aware of their responsibilities and to encourage the re-letting of currently vacant crofting land.

The deluge of wet weather throughout Scotland this winter and the start of spring is having adverse effects on the agricultural sector. With a wetter than average spring come issues with lambing, calving, flooding and general farm management.