Make farming work for nature, climate and people

Farming is vital to Scotland’s future. As well as producing food, farmers and crofters manage three quarters of Scotland’s land. But current methods make farming one of the top three sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland and a major cause of wildlife loss.

The Scottish government spends more than half a billion pounds on farm funding every year. But the money isn’t helping farmers and crofters restore nature or tackle climate change.

We can change this.

Right now, the Scottish government is asking people to give their views on the future of farming by responding to its proposals for a new Agriculture Bill.

We need a new farm funding system that helps farmers and crofters reduce chemical and pesticide use, adopt low carbon farming methods, make space for nature by creating woodlands, hedgerows and field margins - and much more.

Use your voice to help ALL farmers and crofters protect and restore Scotland’s unique natural environment as well as producing food.

SEND A MESSAGE NOW

Ask the Scottish government to replace the decades-old farm funding system with one that works for nature, climate and people.

Add your own message at the start of the email below, telling the Scottish government why you care.

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Subject

Dear Cabinet Secretary,
The upcoming Agriculture Bill will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to make farm funding work for nature, climate and people.
Farming is one of the top three sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland. Current practices also make farming a major cause of wildlife loss. This must change.
The Scottish government has made ambitious commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2045 and to reverse the loss of Scotland’s nature by 2030. A business-as-usual approach to the new funding system will not achieve these ambitions – and our food security depends on a stable climate and healthy natural environment.
Scotland needs an Agriculture Bill that:
<ol>
<li>     Ensures at least three quarters of public spending on farming supports methods that restore nature and tackle climate change.</li>
</ol>
Public funding should support farmers and crofters to farm organically, reduce chemical pesticides and fertilisers, integrate trees and hedges into their farming, and create space for nature on their land.
<ol start="2">
<li>     Supports all farmers and crofters in the transition to sustainable farming.</li>
</ol>
The Scottish Government should provide targeted farm advisory support and training on nature and climate friendly farming methods.
I urge the Scottish Government to deliver an ambitious new system of farm funding that responds to our climate and nature emergencies.
Please treat this email as a response to the Agriculture Bill consultation. I’m responding as an individual and am happy for my response to be published without my name.

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