Visions and actions

Our vision

We see agriculture as a source of prosperity and employment for rural and remote areas, the support for a thriving and dynamic countryside. It is important that agriculture should be maintained wherever it has an key social or environmental function. Agricultural policies should reflect the wide range of social and environmental benefits that farmers can provide, as part of a coherent rural policy with environmental care as its cornerstone. Agri-environmental measures are particularly important because they are the main source of funding for managing the nature and landscapes on farmed land. More of the public financial support for agriculture should be directed into positive environmental management.

 Our actions

We work in partnership with others to:

• promote agricultural systems that favour the nature and landscapes and minimise adverse impacts on the environment, including organic farming;
• encourage good practice in the management of farmed land so as to benefit its wildlife and landscapes and minimise adverse impacts on the environment;
• provide grants and other support to help farmers and crofters create opportunities for public access and recreation,
• encourage initiatives that enable farmers to diversify their businesses for the benefit of the environment or in ways that provide opportunities for people to enjoy the countryside,
• develop and implement the Scotland Rural Development Programme as an integrated programme of support for land use and rural development.
• advise on policies related to agriculture, forestry, land use and the environment.