Agri-renewables strategy for Scotland

Annex B

Consultative Process

The Agri-Renewables Strategy Consultative Group was established to advise on the development of the Strategy. The Groups remit was to:

• Identify the key opportunities for agri-renewables in Scotland, including renewable electricity, renewable heat, technology and skills;
• Identify gaps and barriers to uptake of agri-renewables and development of the agri-renewables sector;
• Make recommendations to the Scottish Government and industry to support development of the agri-renewables sector.

Membership of the group included a sub set of the existing Agriculture & Climate Change Stakeholder Group as well as representatives from other interested organisations:

• Scotland's Rural College;
• Scottish Land and Estates;
• Quality Meat Scotland;
• Scottish Natural Heritage;
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency;
• Forestry Commission Scotland;
• Scottish Environment Link;
• James Hutton Institute;
• Soil Association Scotland;
• National Farmers Union Scotland;
• Scottish Tenant Farmers Association;
• Community Energy Scotland;
• Scottish Agricultural Organisations Scotland;
• Crofting Commission;
• Scottish Crofters Federation;
• Development Trusts Association Scotland;
• Scottish Renewables; and
• CoSLA.

Scottish Government Policy Officials from Agriculture and Rural Development, Renewables Routemap, Strategy and Constitution, Planning, Energy Markets, Grid and Regulation were also part of the Agri-renewables Consultative Group.

As well as meetings of the Consultative Group, a workshop for farmers, crofters, land managers and wider renewable energy stakeholders was held in May 2012. A report of the workshop can be found on the SRUC website.