WWF’s Vison For Sustainable Scottish Agriculture

Farming is vital to Scotland’s future. Our farmers and crofters are key to restoring nature, fighting climate change, and supporting and revitalising rural communities, while working to produce food and other goods.

But at present, agriculture is also a major emitter of greenhouse gases and a cause of nature decline. By changing how we fund agriculture, we can support more nature-friendly farming practices, protect and restore nature, whilst cutting emissions and producing nutritious food.

WWF Scotland believes that the transition to a more sustainable food system needs to be fair and inclusive. By creating a fairer food production system, we can continue to support thriving rural communities and make sure that farmers and crofters are guaranteed stable incomes and fair market returns for the goods and services they provide.

New and ambitious agricultural policy has to support farmers who are seeking to take steps to reduce their emissions, improve their soils and weave nature back into their farmland. It will also ensure farmers and land managers can adapt to changing markets, as well as a changing climate.

This should be based around three key objectives:

1. Fund nature and climate actions

75% of available funding to support agriculture should support measures that allows farmers to reach new markets while restoring nature and tackling climate change. By supporting activities such as woodland creation, peatland restoration and better soil management, we can help nature thrive, lock in carbon and support climate adaptation, whilst building resilience. Research from WWF Scotland has shown that increasing uptake of nature-friendly farming measures could deliver a reduction of almost 40% of greenhouse gas emissions on 2017 levels.

2. Invest in advice and skills development

Investing in advice and skills can speed up the rate of Scotland’s emissions reductions, deliver change and create green jobs in rural areas. WWF Scotland has called for investment in advice and skills for farmers and crofters and believes that the Scottish Government should scale up the budget for this. 

3. Guarantee nutritional security

WWF wants to see food produced to high standards that supports a healthy environment and population. UK retailers have committed to sourcing at least 50% of all whole produce and grains and 100% of all meat, dairy and eggs from standards certified or covered by a robust environmental scheme by 2030 as part of WWF’s Basket initiative.

We need to see policies in place that reflect the changing markets and make sure that Scotland’s definition of high-quality food meets expectations. A crucial part of this will also be making sure that farmers and those they employ receive better conditions and fair market returns for the goods and services they provide.

Read more about our Vision for Agriculture