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The Scottish Government is supporting our farmers and crofters to maintain and enhance their soil health

By understanding their current soil health, farmers and crofters can identify and action opportunities for improvements that work for their businesses. That is why agricultural businesses claiming Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) must now undertake a minimum of two of the Whole Farm Plan full guidance audits and plans, one of which can be a Soil Analysis.

Soil analysis is required if permanent Region 1 land is claimed and fertiliser/manures are applied. It is very positive that 56% of BPS claimants for 2025 have reported that they are analysing their soil. The intention is for all businesses to have completed their relevant plans and audits through the Whole Farm Plan by 2028 at the latest.

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) (PSF) is also delivering transitional support for businesses to prepare for the future. One option currently being funded through PSF, includes funding for soil testing and analysis. To date 4,805 Scottish farmers and crofters have taken up the support for their soil analysis through PSF.

Sustainable and regenerative agriculture: code of practice - gov.scot launched on 19th June 2025. It sets out the principles of regenerative agriculture and provides guidance and practical examples on the types of sustainable and regenerative activities that can be adopted on farms or crofts, including many measures on soils. We recognise many farmers and crofters throughout Scotland are already adopting numerous sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices, including with their soils, and The Code doesn’t seek to replace those existing practices, but offers some suggestions that could contribute to wider efficiencies, profitability, climate adaption and mitigation, biodiversity, soil health and sustainability targets.

The government remains committed to embedding the importance of Scotland’s soil health in government strategies and plans, for example the Biodiversity Strategy, Climate Change Plan, Soils Route Map, and Land Use Strategy.

We also continue to offer advice and guidance through the Soils resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service which offers impartial advice on managing and the importance of soils to farmers, crofters and land managers, including on reducing erosion, fertiliser costs and nutrient losses, as well as improving soil structure and health, soil carbon sequestration potential, and crop productivity.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 introduces new requirements including the publication of a Rural Support Plan and a Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture. The Code must be published within 1 year of section 29 being commenced and will follow the launch of the Rural Support Plan. A preliminary version of the Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture which has been co-developed with the industry was launched on 19th June at the Royal Highland Show.

This is an opportunity to gather real world feedback from the industry which will be taken into consideration for the next iteration.

We do not have plans at this stage to ask SFRS to become a statutory consultee in planning processes for these sites however, we will of course continue discussions with SFRS on this matter as and when appropriate.

SFRS have outlined they continually review and develop their operational response to any new and emerging technology to keep communities safe and are committed to work in collaboration with key partners to ensure the highest level of preparedness for potential incidents involving lithium-ion batteries or similar storage facilities.

The Annual Participation Measure is published by Skills Development Scotland and uses the following classifications:

The Annual Participation Measure is published by Skills Development Scotland. This publication began in 2016. The Scottish Borders local authority data is available in supplementary table 1.7a – https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/statistics/annual-participation-measure.

The Annual Participation Measure is published by Skills Development Scotland. This publication began in 2016. The national average participation level is included in several tables, including supplementary table 1.1a – https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/publications-statistics/statistics/annual-participation-measure.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has had extensive engagement with staff who could be impacted by the Service Delivery options for change. A full 12 week public consultation will take place from the end of June where staff, stakeholders and member of the public will be given the opportunity to express their views.

SFRS takes the mental health and wellbeing of its staff seriously and have a variety of measures in place. Updates have been provided at key stages, supported by intranet resources and newsletters. Potential impacts and options have been discussed, and wellbeing support is available to all staff.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was established on 1 April 2013 so 2013-14 is the first year of funding allocation. The allocations provided to SFRS in the annual budget Acts were as follows:

The provision of fire and rescue activity is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

SFRS will be consulting on a range of options for change as part of its Strategic Service Review at the end of June. As SFRS delivers its services on a national basis, some of these options for change will impact on rural areas and better aligning resources with risk and demand. As part of this consultation, SFRS will publish evidence and rational for the potential changes and it also plans to engage with MSPs and members of the public.

The Scottish Government’s assessment of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) response to any incidents is informed by regular engagement (at various levels between SFRS and the Scottish Government), annual and mid-year performance reviews and HMFSI reports.

The Chief Fire Officer has provided assurances to the Scottish Government that SFRS remains ready and able to respond to all relevant non-fire related emergency incidents that may occur across Scotland.