Growing Scotland’s farm climate scheme
29 May 2014 04:03 PM
Additional funding to expand
programme.
A scheme to
develop climate friendly farming methods that can save farmers money and help
reduce their carbon footprint is to benefit from additional Government
funding.
Rural Affairs
Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced another £100,000 for the
Scottish Government’s Farming for a Better Climate programme which has
resulted in lower carbon footprints and significant financial savings for the
first Focus Farms to take part.
The extra cash
will double the number of Focus Farms from four to eight. It will also provide
farmers with practical advice on adapting to our changing climate through
better soil management and field drainage.
Speaking on a
visit to Easter Howgate Farm near Penicuik, where he welcomed three new Climate
Change Focus Farmers, Mr Lochhead said:
“Our climate
is changing and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to do what
we can to mitigate its negative impact. The Scottish Government is firmly
committed to tackling climate change and lowering overall emissions in
Scotland, of which approximately a fifth is from our agriculture
industry.
“Initial
results from our Farming for a Better Climate scheme show that the Focus Farms
are making big financial savings and lowering their carbon footprint at the
same time.
“In light of
this great success, I have taken the decision to increase the budget for this
pioneering scheme by £100,000. This will be used to double the number of
Focus Farms from four to eight, and I am delighted to be able to welcome three
new Climate Change Focus Farmers here today.
“With the
forthcoming publication of the Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme
these funds will also be used to help farms adapt to our changing climate . The
wetter weather we have experienced in recent years means better soil management
and drainage is a must for Scottish farms. This funding will enable
Scotland’s Rural College to offer more soil management and drainage
demonstration events, which have been heavily oversubscribed.”
The Rural Affairs
Secretary also launched Scotland’s Rural College’s new Carbon
Footprint calculator. The free online tool, called AgRECalc, allows farmers to
estimate their resource use and greenhouse gas emissions to improve
profitability and reduce their environmental impact. He added:
“My ambition
is for every Scottish farm to be greener, and this AgRECalc is a free and
easy-to-use online tool which will enable farmers to pin point where savings
can be made.”
New Climate Change
Focus Farmer, John Kerr who farms at Woodhead in Newmilns, Ayrshire
said:
“I am
looking forward to being part of this project, by focussing on farm efficiency.
The plan at Woodhead is to look at ways to increase the yield of the herd
without compromising milk solids. We are also very interested in looking at
renewable energy opportunities as we look to reduce costs and develop new
income streams into the business. Hopefully this initiative will help us reduce
costs, improve output and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Notes To
Editors
Farming for a
Better Climate was launched in 2010 and provides practical advice to farmers on
measures they can take to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate
change. The additional £100,000 funding announced today bring total
Scottish Government to £373,000 per year.
Analysis published last year showed that the first three Climate Change Focus
Farms saved almost £60,000 between them in the first three years of the
pioneering programme, whilst two of the businesses reduced their carbon
footprint by at least 10 per cent:http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Reaping-the-rewards-5db.aspx<
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Climate Ready
Scotland – Scotland’s Climate Change Adaptation Programme builds
resilience and capacity to adapt to changes in Scotland’s climate. The
Programme objectives provide a framework for everyone in Scotland to contribute
towards their delivery within their own organisation, business or
community.