Agriculture and Rural Development Stakeholder Group: terms of reference

Overview

The purpose of the group is to:

• gather and disseminate information on agriculture and rural development issues from government and representative organisations
• facilitate ongoing information sharing and discussion between government and stakeholders
• provide a forum for engagement and consultation with rural partners

Members

Membership will be kept under review to ensure it is appropriate to the task, and currently comprises representatives from:

• Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
• Agriculture Industries Consortium
• Central Association of Agricultural Valuers
• CONFOR
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• deer farmers
• Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Highlands and Islands Agricultural Support Group
• Highland and Islands Enterprise
• Historic Environment Scotland
• Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland
• James Hutton Institute
• Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF)
• National Farmers Union Scotland
• National Sheep Association
• NatureScot
• Nourish Scotland
• Quality Meat Scotland
• RHASS
• Royal Society Protection of Birds
• RSABI
• Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society
• Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers
• Scottish Association Of Young Farmers
• Scottish Beef Association
• Scottish Crofters Federation
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Forestry
• Scottish Land and Estates
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Scottish Government
• Scottish Organic Producers Association
• Scottish Quality Crops
• Scottish Tennant Farmers Association
• SE Link
• Soil Association
• South of Scotland Enterprise
• SRUC

Communication and outputs

Correspondence was issued to members in September 2023, reframing the purpose of the group to ensure it maintains a meaningful role in future Agricultural Reform Programme policy development. Rather than a set schedules of meetings, SG officials will engage with members on specific, often time sensitive, topics. 

The ARD Stakeholder Group is a valued network of experts, engaged with as part of a targeted engagement programme to provide written and oral evidence, most likely in a workshop environment and in smaller numbers than as a whole. 

Membership is voluntary and members will not receive any remuneration.

On occasions where group formally meet, minutes will be taken and published on the Scottish Government’s website.