Nature-friendly farming summit creates a real buzz

There was a real buzz on Tuesday as 180 delegates arrived at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh for Scotland’s first ‘Nature-Friendly Farming Summit’. The event created a platform for lively conversations and the sharing of knowledge and experience about nature-friendly farming and how to grow it.

Organised by the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), with support from RSPB Scotland and NatureScot, the Summit was a great success. It was opened by farmer and NFFN Chair Denise Walton, with words by Martin Lines, NFFN CEO on how the Network started and continues to grow.  Professor Davy McCracken, chair for the days’ events, also gave a comprehensive summary of farming in Scotland and its importance for – and the challenges facing – nature and climate.

Almost three quarters of Scotland’s land is farmed, and farming methods have real impacts on nature and on our climate, both good and bad. Nature-friendly farming means producing food in ways that work in balance with nature and the environment. A growing number of farmers and crofters are leading the way, showing what action is needed and how that can also be profitable for farming itself. The challenge is to scale it up and embed this approach in farming across the board.

The next session looked at this and specifically how Scotland’s £650 million annual farm budget could be better allocated to support and grow profitable, nature-friendly farming. RSPB Scotland’s Andrew Midgley highlighted how less than 5% is currently spent supporting effective action for nature and climate on farms and argued for a refocusing of the budget. Others identified opportunities for Scotland’s supply chains and markets and for food policy to better support and reward those who produce food in nature friendly ways.

All eyes and ears were on the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairley hoping to hear positive messages from the Scottish Government about growing nature- friendly farming. He made it very clear that nature-friendly farmers are central to the Scottish Government achieving its vision for sustainable and regenerative agriculture and the contributions of NFFN ‘deeply valued’.  On the question of the farm budget he said he would ‘carefully consider future budget allocations’ and was open to hearing ideas as to how the Agri-Environment-Climate Scheme (AECS) and Enhanced Greening could deliver more for nature. Significantly, he confirmed that AECS would be open for applications next year and this Scheme will continue until 2030 at least. This is welcome news given its important role in supporting action for nature and climate on farms.

Learning from experience, both here and elsewhere, is always vitally important in any process of change. David McKay from Soil Association Scotland offered a hopeful perspective from efforts to grow the organic sector across Europe and beyond. The need for collaboration – across landscapes and within supply chains – was also explored.

Finally, a brilliant panel session considered the actions, partnerships and innovations needed to scale up nature-friendly farming across Scotland. There was real energy and hope in the room that this is possible. We’re sure that the farmers, youth members, government and non-government organisations attending took away practical ideas and fresh-thinking for how to make it happen. We certainly did.