Farmers and crofters have been given more conditions to meet to be eligible for post-Brexit subsidy payments, a Scottish minister has said.
The announcement comes as the agriculture sector has been grappling with rising input costs and food prices, with the industry crying out for more clarity on what the Scottish Government will replace the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidy payment with when it ends next year.
The new conditions include requirements for all farmers and crofters to carry out soil testing, carbon and biodiversity audits, and follow an animal health and welfare declaration to qualify for any support payment from 2025 onwards.
They must also protect peatlands and wetlands if such habitat is on their land, and meet the new conditions of the Government’s Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme to help cut emissions by making beef production more efficient.
Rural affairs secretary announced the new conditions, which will be introduced from 2025, at the opening of the Royal Highland Show.
She also reiterated the Scottish Government has committed to direct payments under the future scheme.
The minister said further detail of the new conditions can be found in the updated Agricultural Reform Route Map which was published on Thursday morning.
