Chamber and committees

Since 2016, the Scottish Government have provided approximately £5M each year for high-quality, high demand advisory services in Scotland.

We cannot confirm funding beyond each financial year, due to Scotland being removed from the EU, and the UK Government refusing to offer long term funding guarantees.

Despite these challenges, we have consulted on the need to maintain delivery of advisory services.

Applications for the construction and operation of onshore electricity generating stations with an installed capacity in excess of 50 megawatts are made to Scottish Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. No such applications made for generating stations exclusively powered by battery storage have been refused between 2013 and 2023.

Future budgets are set through the annual parliamentary Budget Bill process and the appropriate profile for returning this funding will be considered as part of the 2024-25 process.

Scottish Ministers have repeatedly assured that deferred rural budget will be spent on rural priorities on an appropriate profile.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21029 on 13 September 2023. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

As part of the Bill process we have consulted on the intent to continue to support all registered agricultural businesses in Scotland to continue to benefit from accessing high-quality advice through the Farm Advisory Service.

As is convention, following consultation on proposed legislation, Ministers are considering the views received to inform a new Agriculture Bill, which will be introduced in 2023. In turn, Parliament will consider the proposals and provide further comment on draft proposals, accordingly.

The Scottish Government-funded Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is and will continue to offer a range of high-quality generic and bespoke consultancy and specialist advice to Scottish farmers, crofters, and land managers. This includes advice on sustainable practice at its core.

Current and future advisory services will be monitored and contractually required to prioritise inclusion and accessibility for all support, including the uptake of sustainable practices.

Scottish Government is leading on development of the new payment system, and the intention is to create a system that is streamlined, accessible, and administered internally.

The Agricultural Reform Route Map sets out the proposed timescales for information and interaction with the agricultural industry. As we continue to make progress with the Agriculture Reform Programme, there will be further opportunities to share key information with farmers, crofters and landowners to help them plan and prepare for change.