Rural Support Draft Plan: EIR release

Information requested

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between Scottish Government Officials within the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate regarding a draft Rural Support Plan. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between Scottish Government Officials. Please provide this information between the dates of 1 February 2024 and 28 March 2024 inclusive.

2. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between Scottish Government Officials within the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate and the Office of Mairi Gougeon regarding a draft Rural Support Plan. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between Scottish Government Officials. Please provide this information between the dates of 1 February 2024 and 28 March 2024.

Response

Email Date – 01/02/2024 Title - Case 202400396157

Email From – Private Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Scottish Government

This is developed with stakeholders, notably the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) which Nourish Scotland and Scottish Environment Link are represented on. We have, of course, already set out our intentions in advance of the co-production of the Rural Support Plan. It is part of the transitional period, as outlined in the Route Map so the timing and content is framed by that. We have already engaged with stakeholders through the Route Map, which indicates when we intend to change different things. We are engaging with the industry along with the committee at each point in the process and will continue to do so during the legislative process. In fact, the rural support plan is scheduled for discussion as part of the ARIOB’s 2024 workplan.

CABINET SECRETARY FOR RURAL AFFAIRS AND ISLANDS

Briefing for Meeting with Ariane Burgess MSP on 08 February 2024

RURAL SUPPORT PLAN: TIMELINE AND STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT

LINES TO TAKE

• We are working with partners representing all interests, including through representative bodies and a cohort of individual farmers, to adapt and improve this framework over time to maximise the benefit we can achieve.
• We will incorporate what we learn into future versions of the framework, such as new best practice, improvements in technology, evidence on climate impacts and how well the industry is performing against targets so Scotland’s farmers, crofters and land managers continue to be supported.
• I have committed to bringing forward the Rural Support Plan from 2025, alongside the SSIs under the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
• It will be produced to support the secondary legislation that we will draft. It will be the summation of how the support tiers operate towards the four overarching objectives so is informed by the work within the Agricultural Reform Programme.
• This is developed with stakeholders, notably the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) which Nourish Scotland and Scottish Environment Link are represented on.
• We are yet to begin the consultation with stakeholders with regards to the Rural Support Plan but we will, of course, look to engage with key industry stakeholders along with the committee at each point in the process and will continue to do so during the legislative process.
• We have, however, already set out our intentions in advance of the co-production of the Rural Support Plan. It is part of the transitional period, as outlined in the Route Map so the timing and content is framed by that.
• In fact, the rural support plan is scheduled for discussion as part of the ARIOB’s 2024 workplan and senior officials are due to meet with the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity for a deep dive into the Agricultural Reform Programme in March 2024.

BACKGROUND

• It is important that we have a robust and coherent framework to underpin Scotland’s future agricultural support regime from 2025 onwards, that delivers climate mitigation and adaptation, nature restoration and high-quality food production. 
• The Agricultural Reform Route Map was published in February 2023, revised in June 2023 with afurther update to come in the first quarter of 2024.
• It outlines our phased transition approach to the new Future Support Framework, setting out the framework diagram, the phased approach to transition and the impacts on existing schemes during the transition. While it doesn’t answer all questions as yet, it provides key dates when more information and guidance will be available.
• The existing framework of support will continue in 2023 and 2024 to provide security and stability to farmers and crofters. Changes will begin in 2025, with new conditions for farming support payments to help more of Scotland's farmers and crofters cut emissions and help tackle climate change. This will be part of a phased approach to bringing in the new support framework from 2026.

CABINET SECRETARY EVIDENCE SESSION,

RURAL AFFAIRS AND ISLANDS COMMITTEE, 21st FEBRUARY 2024

Rural Support Plan (sections 2 & 3)

TOP LINES

• The Rural Support Plan will describe how our support across the Tiers delivers to the Bill’s Overarching Objectives and so to our Vision for Agriculture.

BACKGROUND

• The Bill places a requirement upon Scottish Ministers to prepare, lay before Parliament and publish a Rural Support Plan.
• This Plan will explain how our Tiered support delivers to Bill Objectives and so to the Vision for Agriculture.
• It will spell out how we will support food production in ways that contribute to nature restoration and climate adaptation and mitigation.
• In doing, it enables us to show our duties in ensuring that agriculture support policy contributes positively to existing legislation (including climate).
• The Agriculture Reform Programme will co-develop with farmers and crofters the measures that will inform the content of the Plan and ensue its outputs can be measured.
• This Plan will cover up to a five-year period and must set-out the strategic priorities for providing support during the plan period.
• It must also set out in such manner, and giving such detail as is appropriate, details of each support scheme in operation or expected to come into operation during the period.
• The Plan shall also allow Ministers to make clear as to how agricultural support contributes to other statutory duties such as climate commitments and EU alignment.
• In our Vision for Agriculture, we commit to, where practicable, staying aligned with new EU measures and policy developments, in order to ensure that if Scotland has the opportunity to re enter the EU in the future then we are in a position to do so with minimal disruption.
• Such a Plan offers a level of certainty that was sought by many through the consultation within the flexible support model that was welcomed.

Q&A

Q. When will the Rural Support Plan be published?

• The rural support plan will be co-developed with stakeholders. This is through our Agriculture Reform Programme as part of Scottish Government’s co-development of the specifics of future support and eligibility.
• This full plan will emerge through 2025 fully informed by the insight of our farmers and crofters.

Q. Will there be consultation on the Plan?

• While there is no statutory requirement to consult, the Scottish Government is keen to engage fully with those who have an interest in the Plan.
• The Plan can only be informed by the work of the Agriculture Reform Programme, this has co development at its core and is actively working with rural stakeholders and directly with farmers and crofters.
• The Scottish Government is committed to a service design approach to policy-making, involving co-development and specific detail is subject to ongoing co-development with stakeholders.
• Through the Agriculture Reform Programme, Scottish Government are working very closely with the industry and rural partners.

Q. What was the thinking behind the Scottish Government choosing a five-year duration for the rural support plan?

• The rationale for choosing a five-year duration is to have a period that allowed for further stability and which tied in with parliamentary terms.
• During the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Bill, it was clearly expressed that stakeholders and the public welcomed the ability to have flexibility, whilst also maintaining some certainty.

Q. What is the parliamentary role in the scrutiny of the rural support plan?

• The rural support plan will be produced to support the secondary legislation.
• By following our ‘Route Map’, I have set out our plans in advance of the rural support plan, and we have explained how we will engage with the sector at each point of the process and how we will engage with parliament in the legislative process.
• I have been clear about the intention to be transparent with the industry.

Q. What kinds of things would trigger the review of a Rural Support plan?

• There is no set criteria that would trigger a review.
• The framework Bill approach is required to ensure flexibility and adaptivity to mitigate possible future challenges, as recent history has shown us, including on geopolitical, economic and climatic fronts.
• We are simply allowing the flexibility to respond to external occurrences outwith our control.

Q. Stakeholder comment that The rural support plan should be a mechanism for the Government to set out how it will use public money to deliver on the objectives that are stated in the legislation. In order to do that, the plan needs to have a mechanism to monitor and evaluate the objectives.

• It is essential that we monitor and evaluate the outcomes against the objectives in order to ensure we are delivering on our commitment and providing best value for the public purse.
• This is a framework bill and designed to be adaptable and flexible which lends itself to continuous improvement.

STAKEHOLDER VIEWS

• The concept of clarifying what the powers would be used for and the clear desire expressed for ‘certainty within a flexible model’ was articulated clearly by numerous contributors to the consultation and in the wider public debate around agricultural reform.
• For this reason, the objectives and the rural support plan have been included in the Bill to provide the clarity sought.

Email Date – 13/02/2024 Title - EU 10 Objectives for CAPEmail From – Scottish Government

The interaction of objectives with the proposed rural support plan requires more thought on the practicalities and approach. I would argue it is for our rural support plan to set programme period sub-objectives which set out the focus of that period and how we intend to deliver on the 4 objectives and vision. These would be drafted with monitoring and evaluation front and centre to enable us to track and report on progress. This is the same approach taken to the National Performance Framework and it could also incorporate the interaction of our future measures with climate and nature targets, Good Food Nation, etc. 21 February 2024 - RAI Committee report response. Official Report (parliament.scot)

Email Date – 19/03/2024 Title - FMQ Brief Agriculture w/c 18th March

Email From Scottish Government

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee Stage 1 Report on the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill

The Committee have backed the principles of the Bill but have called for publication of the Rural Support Plan ahead of 2025. The Committee also backed the Scottish Government's longstanding call for certainty from the UK Government on future funding.

The Rural Support Plan will be co-developed through the Agricultural Reform Programme ensuring appropriate engagement and scrutiny to deliver through the Tiers the required outcomes of the Bill.

Email Date – 25/03/2024 Title - IMMEDIATE - FM@CONVENERS GROUP - WED 27 MARCH - Rural Affairs & Islands Committee

Email From Scottish Government

Q. When can we expect the first published Rural Support Plan?

A: The Scottish Government intends to produce a first draft of the rural support plan in 2025. Future agricultural and rural support must be co-designed and co-developed with stakeholders. Our focus is on getting the framework right. I do not expect to be able to share outlines or drafts of the regulations that might be made after the Bill is passed.

Q. What will be in the Rural Support Plan?

A: The Rural Support Plan will describe how our support across the Tiers delivers to the Bill’s Overarching Objectives and so to our Vision for Agriculture. It will outline how the government will work towards delivering the Bill’s overarching objectives.

27th March 2024

CABINET SECRETARY FOR RURAL AFFAIRS, LAND REFORM, AND ISLANDS

Briefing for Stage 1 Debate – Agriculture And Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill

Rural Support Plan (sections 2 & 3)

TOP LINES

• The Rural Support Plan will describe how our support across the Tiers delivers to the Bill’s Overarching Objectives and so to our Vision for Agriculture.
• The Bill places a requirement upon Scottish Ministers to prepare, lay before Parliament and publish a Rural Support Plan.
• This Plan will explain how our Tiered support delivers to Bill Objectives and so to the Vision for Agriculture.
• It will spell out how we will support food production in ways that contribute to nature restoration and climate adaptation and mitigation.
• In doing, it enables us to show our duties in ensuring that agriculture support policy contributes positively to existing legislation (including climate).
• The Agriculture Reform Programme will co-develop with farmers and crofters the measures that will inform the content of the Plan and ensue its outputs can be measured.

BACKGROUND

• This Plan will cover up to a five-year period and must set-out the strategic priorities for providing support during the plan period.
• It must also set out – in such manner and with such specificity as is appropriate – the details of each support scheme in operation or expected to come into operation during the period.
• The Plan shall also allow Ministers to make clear as to how agricultural support contributes to other statutory duties such as climate commitments and EU alignment.
• In our Vision for Agriculture, we commit to, where practicable, staying aligned with new EU measures and policy developments, in order to ensure that if Scotland has the opportunity to re enter the EU in the future then we are in a position to do so with minimal disruption.
• Such a Plan offers a level of certainty that was sought by many through the consultation within the flexible support model that was welcomed.

Publication and content / detail of the Rural Support Plan (Committee report)

• The first rural support plan will complement the Vision for Agriculture and The Agricultural Route Map.
• It systemises the broader outcomes of the Vision for Agriculture and will be co-developed through the Agricultural Reform Programme to deliver through the Tiers the required outcomes of the Bill.
• The rural support plan will be co-developed with stakeholders. This is through our Agriculture Reform Programme as part of Scottish Government’s co-development of the specifics of future support and eligibility.
• This first full plan will emerge through 2025 fully informed by the insight of our farmers and crofters.

Evaluation – Committee recommends that future plans include an evaluation of the previous plan (Committee report)

• It is essential that we monitor and evaluate the outcomes against the objectives in order to ensure we are delivering on our commitment and providing best value for the public purse.
• This is a framework bill and designed to be adaptable and flexible which lends itself to continuous improvement.

Consultation / Statutory Consultation Requirement (Committee report)

• While there is no statutory requirement to consult, the Scottish Government is keen to engage fully with those who have an interest in the Plan.
• The Plan can only be informed by the work of the Agriculture Reform Programme, this has co development at its core and is actively working with rural stakeholders and directly with farmers and crofters.
• The Scottish Government is committed to a service design approach to policy-making, involving co-development and specific detail is subject to ongoing co-development with stakeholders.
• Through the Agriculture Reform Programme, Scottish Government are working very closely with the industry and rural partners.

Parliamentary scrutiny of the rural support plan (Committee report)

• The rural support plan will be produced to support the secondary legislation.
• By following our ‘Route Map’, I have set out our plans in advance of the rural support plan, and we have explained how we will engage with the sector at each point of the process and how we will engage with parliament in the legislative process.
• I have been clear about the intention to be transparent with the industry.

Five-year duration for the rural support plan

• The rationale for choosing a five-year duration is to have a period that allowed for further stability and which tied in with parliamentary terms.
• During the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Bill, it was clearly expressed that stakeholders and the public welcomed the ability to have flexibility, whilst also maintaining some certainty.

Triggers for a review of a Rural Support plan

• There is no set criteria that would trigger a review.
• The framework Bill approach is required to ensure flexibility and adaptivity to mitigate possible future challenges, as recent history has shown us, including on geopolitical, economic and climatic fronts.
• We are simply allowing the flexibility to respond to external occurrences out with our control.
• [If pressed] For example, if the cost crisis resulting from the invasion of Ukraine were to happen again, those circumstances might make it rational for us to revisit a plan in the immediate term.

Purpose and function of section 3 (Committee report)

• It is I think essential that the Rural Support Plan is co-developed, and that the purpose of section 3 of the Bill is to ensure that the Scottish Ministers will have express regard when doing so both to the objectives of the Bill and other relevant matters when preparing the plan.

STAKEHOLDER VIEWS

• The concept of clarifying what the powers would be used for and the clear desire expressed for‘certainty within a flexible model’ was articulated clearly by numerous contributors to the consultation and in the wider public debate around agricultural reform.
• For this reason, the objectives and the rural support plan have been included in the Bill to provide the clarity sought.

ARC Bill stage one Debate – Additional briefing – 27th March

TOP LINES

• The Bill places a requirement upon Scottish Ministers to prepare, lay before Parliament, and publish a Rural Support Plan.
• It will describe how support: delivers the overarching objectives and the Vision; promotes food production in ways that contribute to nature restoration and climate adaptation and mitigation.
• It enables us to show our duties in ensuring that agriculture support policy contributes positively to existing legislation (including climate).
• The Agriculture Reform Programme will co-develop with farmers and crofters the measures which will inform the content of the Plan and ensue its outputs can be measured.
• In this context, officials have already engaged with partners including SE Link, RSPB, and NFUS on the Plan.

BACKGROUND

• This Plan will cover up to a five-year period and must set-out the strategic priorities.
• It will give detail, as Ministers’ deem appropriate, of each support scheme during the period.
• Such a Plan offers a level of certainty that was sought by many through the consultation within the flexible support model that was welcomed.
• It is key to note that this document will be ‘living’, that is must be focused on outcomes and proportionate.
• The plan does not sit in isolation - we have already published: the Vision for Agriculture, underpinned by values, principles and objectives; a Route Map with details of changes and timings as we transition from old to new; detailed scheme guidance is published on the Rural Payments and Services website; we already report on statutory duties such as climate commitments.
• It is not proportionate or desirable to duplicate or indeed cut across any of this existing work.

CRITICISM / CONTRIBUTION

The RAI Committee has called for;

Evaluation

• It is essential that we monitor and evaluate the outcomes against the objectives in order to ensure we are delivering on our commitment and providing best value for the public purse.
• This framework bill, designed to be adaptable and flexible, lends itself to continuous improvement.

1. Statutory consultation

• While there is no statutory requirement to consult, the Scottish Government is keen to engage fully with those who have an interest in the Plan.
• The Plan can only be informed by the work of the Agriculture Reform Programme, this has co-development at its core and is actively working with rural stakeholders and directly with farmers and crofters.

2. Parliamentary scrutiny

• The rural support plan will be produced to support the secondary legislation.
• By following our ‘Route Map’, I have set out our plans in advance of the rural support plan, and we have explained how we will engage with the sector at each point of the process and how we will engage with parliament in the legislative process.
• Partners including SE Link, and individually RSPB, have called for clear obligations upon Ministers in the formation of the Plan. This includes factors such as taking ‘expert advice’ and justifying the intent of each support.
• Others, such as NFUS, have called for ‘indicative’ or even absolute budget commitments to be made to each Tier over the Plan Period.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.