When it comes to Scotland’s future agricultural support, I’m as frustrated as anyone about the real lack of clarity writes NFU Scotland’s Director of Policy, Jonnie Hall.

We all know change is coming and we all want to know what change will mean for farming and crofting.

We are moving through the gears towards a new agricultural support framework via the Scottish Government’s latest Agricultural Reform Route Map and an Agriculture Bill is expected to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament in September.

Don’t get too excited – the Bill will be dull and will lack insight. But it is necessary.

The Bill will create the powers, but it will not fill the alarming policy void that farmers and crofters currently face, and which is compounding the uncertainty already affecting so many.

It’s the secondary legislation yet to come and how that is used that will provide the details farmers and crofters desperately need.

What we do know is that change to existing schemes will happen from 2025, as a segway to the new system of support.

From 2026, a four-tiered framework will be in place with Tiers 1 and 2 providing ‘direct’ support. I emphasise the word direct. Tier 3 will be targeted measures, such as agri-environment and capital investment, both of which will be increasingly important going forward. Tier 4 will be complementary support such as advisory services.

It is vital that the support framework aligns with the needs of farming and crofting. Creating sustainable and profitable agricultural businesses is the only route to delivering all the required food, climate and biodiversity outcomes.

Cast iron commitments on future funding are needed too. These must be increased, multi-annual and ring-fenced funds with the significant majority allocated to Tiers 1 and 2, to underpin farming and crofting as that’s where the heavy lifting will be done.

The Scottish Government needs to be clearer sooner. There are critical unanswered questions on the details of Tiers 1 and 2 that are a big catalyst for uncertainty.

Right now, farming and crofting need support policy signals to drive agricultural activity and food production, to generate confidence and investment in the short and long term and deliver the Scottish Government’s targets for both climate and biodiversity.

For us, that means a clear focus on the direct support elements of Tiers 1 and 2 with the vast majority of funding allocated there too.

Tier 1 must provide continued financial stability for active farmers and crofters. Tier 2 must foster productivity, efficiency and resilience through accessible and practical management options, whilst rewarding existing good practice.

Tiers 1 and 2 must combine to enhance agricultural management and agricultural business performance, whilst at the same time significantly contributing to climate, nature and socio-economic goals.

I agree with our Cabinet Secretary’s statement that ‘there is no contradiction between high quality food production and producing it in a way that delivers for climate and nature’. However, that can only happen with the buy-in of farmers and crofters across Scotland and it’s the duty of government to enable a rapid move from powers to practice so active agriculture can drive the necessary change.

A clear, unwavering commitment that future policy will underpin agricultural activity and food production is required immediately.