A locally-based politician is highlighting the importance of regenerative food and farming practices.
Following the passing of the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act in June, Forres-based Scottish Green Highlands and Islands MSP, Ariane Burgess, advocates a just transition in farming that benefits the environment and communities.
Ariane Burgess MSP at the community fruit orchard at Mannachie park, Forres.
She explained: “Supporting our small producers, market gardeners, and crofters is crucial for building a resilient food system.
“The new pathways for financial support will ensure that those who produce the most food per hectare and contribute positively to our climate and biodiversity are recognized and supported.”
The act enables the support of agriculture, rural communities and the rural economy through the creation of a framework for that support; to make provision for continuing professional development for those involved in agriculture and related industries; to make provision in relation to the welfare and identification of animals; to repeal spent and superseded agricultural enactments; and for connected purposes.
Ms Burgess’s amendments included provisions for improving access to nature, cleaning up air and water, and supporting nature restoration businesses. The initiatives are in place to create a more sustainable and thriving agricultural sector in the area.
Roseisle Gardens is an example of a small-scale food producer who may benefit from the changes. The market garden is run using organic principles.
Roseisle Gardens.
Ms Burgess said: “There’s a growing market for good, local produce – from vegetables produced by award-winning market gardeners like Cosaig Growers in Glenelg to wild venison that we have in abundance but too often the routes to market and support for small-scale food producers are complicated and hard to access.
”We need to build access to high-quality, locally-grown food into our supply chains at every level as well as supporting producers themselves to access training in marketing and business skills as well as agricultural and horticultural ones.”