Agriculture champions: interim discussion document

Next steps

A lot of thought and time has gone in to this discussion paper, but for it to have effect, there will have to be delivery programmes around the themes identified. These delivery programmes will identify the outcomes and then appropriate policies will be developed and implemented to deliver the outcomes.

As mentioned under the Career Opportunities theme, there is scope to take forward work in this area more quickly than in some others. In order not to lose time, we recommend that a delivery programme be put in place as soon as possible to deliver a Rural Skills Action Plan. Work is already under way on identifying the industry's needs for 2018/19 and planning student numbers and funding arrangements. We encourage the government to move quickly on this so as not to miss a year.

For the other issues where we envisage longer timescales, we would like to invite anyone with an interest - whether representing an organisation or as an individual - to comment on this interim discussion document and the themes we have identified.

Please send your comments to:

Or by email to:

Champions-of-Agriculture@gov.scot

by Friday, 29 December 2017.

We anticipate submitting our final advice to the Scottish Government in the early part of 2018. Thank you in advance for your comments, which will help inform that advice.

Archie Gibson
Henry Graham
John Kinnaird
Marion MacCormick