Calls for greater awareness of the need for action on climate change by Scotland's agriculture sector were outlined by a new report published today.

Other recommendations in the report of the Agriculture and Climate Change Stakeholder Group include the need for better communication on how agriculture can adapt to and help mitigate climate change, closer policy integration on land use improved reporting of green house gas emissions from agriculture.

Opportunities identified for reducing emissions include making better use of fertilisers and manure/slurry, reducing soil disturbance and improved livestock diets. It also highlighted the use of biomass and biogas to generate heat and/or electricity; hydro power; wind power; and improved energy efficiency of machinery and buildings. In addition it highlighted the important opportunities for storing atmospheric carbon, for example through woodland creation, restoration of degraded soils and reduced drainage.

In welcoming the report, Environment Minister Michael Russell also highlighted a number of opportunities that combating climate change presented to Scottish farmers.

Speaking in Dumfries as part of his Founders Day speech at Crichton Campus, Mr Russell said: “There is no doubt that in recent years awareness of the serious threat climate change poses has increased significantly. 

“We are committed to taking action to reduce emissions and to help Scotland adapt to their impacts.

“Climate change brings opportunities as well as threats to the agriculture sector, who have a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions.” 

The Agriculture and Climate Change Stakeholder Group was chaired by Henry Graham, a director of Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) who was previously head of agribusiness for the Clydesdale Bank. It also included representatives from NFU Scotland, SRPBA, Environment LINK, Macaulay, SCRI, SAC, Forestry Commission Scotland and SEPA. It was asked to examine the implications for Scottish agriculture of climate change, in terms of both opportunities for adaptation and mitigation actions.

Russell added: “I am most grateful to Henry Graham and his colleagues on the Agriculture and Climate Change Stakeholder Group, who have just completed their detailed report for us on this.

“I want this report to be a platform for action and we will be using next month's Royal Highland Show to work with the sector on how we can mitigate the effects of climate change.”
 
The Report of the Agriculture and Climate Change Stakeholder Group can be found here

Related news items:

• Action on seasonal workers welcomed
• Action planned on overuse of plastic bags
• Action urged to prevent feathers flying
• Agricultural charity launches awareness campaign
• Agricultural shows get boost