A promise that the experience gained over several decades of engagement with the farming sector would be “in the head and in the heart” of the latest incumbent of Bute House was given by First Minister John Swinney at the Royal Highland Show yesterday. Speaking at the QMS industry breakfast, Mr Swinney stated that it was vital that Scotland continued to provide the world with high quality, healthy beef and other meats in a sustainable fashion – “due to the care, the innovation and the resilience” which farmers brought to the sector. And telling the packed audience that it was his government’s aim to provide clarity and confidence on “the necessary changes” which were being introduced in farm policy, he promised that there would be no “cliff edge” ending to support measures, with the route map providing transparency on the timing of changes.
The First Minister also revealed that the cornerstone code of practice on regenerative and sustainable farming which would be integral to the new support measures was at an advanced stage, and that early drafts had already been discussed with industry groups with a view to carrying out a wider consultation in the coming months. He said that this was key to producing excellent food in a sustainable way, farming with nature to improve biodiversity and farm profitability – but added some of the measures required more to be done in return for the support offered. The introduction of the Whole Farm Plan in 2025 would play .