A new expert panel has been established to advise the Scottish Government on how more new entrant farmers can be supported to access opportunities to take up farming.

The New Entrants Advisory Panel met for the first time on Wednesday (12th September), when it begun work advising government on support and assistance opportunities for new entrants, including the position of new entrants under the next Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), as part of upcoming Common Agricultural Policy reforms.

Announcing the development to farmers and stakeholders at the New Entrants Summit in Edinburgh today, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said, "I’m passionate about the need to attract more new entrants to farming, but despite our innovative approaches under SRDP – such as being the first administration to introduce a dedicated new entrant scheme – fundamental problems remain. That’s why we need real change through the CAP reforms.

"Generational renewal is vital to any industry and farming is no exception. Therefore I’m delighted that the New Entrants Advisory Panel is up and running, fulfilling a pledge in our 2011 farming manifesto. I’d like to thank all the members for giving up their time to be involved and lend their expertise.”

Across Europe the average age of farmers is increasing. Throughout the EU as a whole, over 50 percent of holdings are managed by farmers aged 55 or over, 25 per cent of farmers are over 65 and only 7.6 percent of farms are run by people under 35 years old. The average age of a UK farmer is 58.

Numerous appeals, including calls by European farmers’ organisation Copa Cogeca and the European Parliament, have been made to increase support for entrants into farming, particularly for the next generation of farmers. Measures are intended to be brought in under the reformed CAP to support young farmers (defined as those below 35 years of age).

The key focus of the Scottish government’s Panel will be on support arrangements for new entrants in Scotland.  Mr Lochhead said this will include direct financial backing as well as other forms of assistance, such as advice or training. 

The rural affairs secretary said, "One barrier [facing new entrants] is a lack of new farm units. Therefore it’s great that Forestry Commission Scotland have set out plans today for a further three new units under their Starter Unit initiative. I hope to see more such opportunities in the years to come.”

He continued, "When I travel around Scotland and meet young farmers – such as in Orkney earlier this summer and my visit to the Dumfries Show – I see the enthusiasm and dedication they have for their industry. If we can harness and support this then the future of Scottish farming looks bright."

The move has been welcomed by farming organisations in Scotland; Nigel Miller, president of NFUS said, "We are at a crucial period in policy development, we need to get new people into Scottish farming and having a direct route for this group to future proof policy is of value.  This group will represent a different generation, they won’t be constrained by traditional thinking and they will be looking to push the boundaries for the long-term good of Scottish farming."

The members of the new panel are:

• Group Chair David Barnes: Scottish Government Head of Agriculture
• Jim Simmons: Banffshire farmer, founder the New Entrants Group
• Andrew Stevenson: Fife farmer, NFUS New Generation Group
• Iain Mackay: Isle of Mull farmer, NFUS New Generation Group
• Stephen Vickers: Group Strategy Director, Buccleuch Group
• Fiona Benton: Scottish Borders farmer, Scottish Tenant Farming Association
• Douglas Bell: Senior Agricultural Policy Consultant at the Scottish Agricultural College

Tweet