ALMOST £40 million should be set aside every year to care for rural Scotland after Brexit, a conservation charity claims.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust has revealed its blueprint for caring for the countryside after the UK withdraws from the bloc and Common Agricultural Policy payments end.
The plan includes dedicated funds for restoring peatlands, controlling and eradicating invasive non-native species and flood prevention.
It also covers the creation of a national ecological network of collaboration between landholdings, as well as a three tier farm payment system to support agriculture, linked to their adoption of eco-friendly measures.
The proposals also include a target of creating 1 million hectares of new native woodland by 2050 to lift total tree cover to 30 per cent.
Underpinned by a new regulatory framework, it would also see grouse moors licensed, with tighter controls on muirburn to prevent damage to sensitive habitats.
The Trust says its “solutions for safeguarding and enhancing the natural capital value of land” are affordable.
Chief executive Johnny Hughes said: “The Common Agricultural Policy has been one of the biggest forces shaping Scotland’s environment and economy over the past four decades.
“After Brexit the Scottish Government is likely to be in charge of how, and how much, public money is spent. With finances under increasing pressure we need a new system that clearly links public money with public benefit to ensure that there is continued support for the rural economy.
“A land stewardship approach involves living within our means, aiming to get the best from our land while ensuring it is sustainably managed. Adopting this approach would allow us to create a healthier countryside, where producing quality food and other commodities from a quality environment becomes the new cultural norm.”
Scottish Tenant Farmers Association chairman Christopher Nicholson called the proposals “a good start”, but conceded “farmers may not agree with all of it”.
He said: “At the core is the need for farms to provide additional public goods such as wildlife habitats to defend the budget for farm support, much of which can be incorporated by farm businesses without compromising agricultural output.
“Some measures, including the protection and enhancement of soil productivity are win-wins for both farming and the environment.”
Anne Gray of Scottish Land & Estates, which represents sporting estates and other rural businesses, said: “While we do not sign up to all of the proposals within the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s blueprint, we can all agree that it is vital that we enable and support the restoration, maintenance and enhancement of Scotland’s natural assets for the long-term.”
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