The Rural Support Plan is a poor use of public money, it’s unfair and it matters for climate.
A fundamental problem is the separation of food production and the environment.
The lack of ambition on decarbonising agriculture is reflected in the new Climate Change Plan 2026-40.
Many farms can demonstrate low-carbon credentials but countless others are not doing enough for climate and nature or have no data to show performance. A system which puts food production and climate and nature in different boxes is doing a disservice to many farms and crofts.
Scotland still has a chance to be bold, but the signs so far in this parliament are not great. The new Rural Affairs Committee can consider all matters rural, except climate, while the new Climate Action Committee can discuss all matters climate, except rural.