Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie MSP SNP visited the new educational vertical farming facility at SRUC yesterday.

Mr Fairlie toured the facility, part funded by Scottish Government and learned about how this new technology can contribute to a more sustainable farming sector.

Reminder! The Single Application Form (SAF) 2024 window closes at midnight on Wednesday 15 May.

We are operating an out of hours service over the next two weekends and on the day of the deadline. More info ➡️ ruralpayments.org/news-events/si…

We want to ensure everyone working in rural Scotland earns a decent wage. By applying Fair Work First to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme and Forestry Grant Scheme, grant recipients will have to pay the real living wage to employees. Full guidance ➡️ tinyurl.com/4ywapb84

The Single Application Form (SAF) 2024 window closes in two weeks, on 15 May. Customers should ensure applications, especially in draft, are submitted on time. If you require assistance, please contact your local area office ➡️ bit.ly/39mO34L

Suspect sheep scab in your flock? A blood test is available and can diagnose the disease before clinical signs appear, reducing the spread. Protect your livestock: gov.scot/publications/s…

Rural Sec Mairi Gougeon responds to Land Based Learning Review.

Scottish Government aims to:
🔵 Attract more people - especially women & young people - to land-based & aquaculture sectors
🔵 Improve training
🔵 Create a wealthier, greener, more equal country

ℹ️ ow.ly/4W7W50RseFI

Yesterday's issues affecting the Rural Payments and Services website have been fixed. Access to the Single Application Form is now available for submissions. Thank you for your patience.

We are experiencing a system issue with Rural Payments and Services. This means the Single Application Form (SAF) is currently unavailable. Please do not submit applications during this time. We apologise for the inconvenience and are working to resolve this.

In the event of an #AvianInfluenza or #Bluetongue outbreak in England, Scotland or Wales, you may need a licence to move your animals if you are in a disease control zone. You can now apply online for a licence to move animals in these zones if in place ➡️ tinyurl.com/3664zdsh

Building on a Programme for Government commitment to increase our resilience to water scarcity and flooding, Ministers Jim Fairlie MSP SNP and @LornaSlater hosted an expert roundtable on current and future water resource challenges to help inform planning and investment.

⚠️ A VERY HIGH wildfire warning has been issued for south and west of Scotland ⚠️

The warning is in place on Wednesday, 24 April and Thursday, 25 April.

People who live within or enters the area should be extra cautious and avoid naked flame outdoors.

DFM @shonarobison announced work will begin on a new plan for our islands.

Building on the 2019 National Islands Plan, it will place the priorities of islanders at the heart of a refreshed strategy, empowering communities and improving lives.

bit.ly/3UvV48o

We want to encourage farmers and crofters to continue to reduce emissions and improve efficiency of sustainable food production.

By 2028, carbon audits will be required by all farms receiving support and Nutrient Management Plans will be integrated into whole farm plans.

Emissions from livestock form a large portion of overall global greenhouse gas emissions.

To help reduce emissions, Scottish Government is bringing forward a pilot scheme to see how methane supressing animal feed or additives can help our agriculture sector.

Partial rewetting is a land management technique that can help keep carbon locked up in peatlands & peaty soils.

Investing up to £1 million, we will work with farmers, crofters & other land managers to explore how partial rewetting can work alongside other agricultural activity.

Rural communities are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate.

We want to do more to support our farmers and crofters to lead the way in low carbon farming and food production.

Find out more ➡️ bit.ly/net-zero-action

All services across Apply, Claims and SRSP will be unavailable from 9.00am to midday on Monday 22 April for essential maintenance. This will not affect Single Application Form (SAF) submissions and users will be able to access Rural Payments and Services as normal.

Scotland is already nearly halfway to our goal of becoming a net zero nation by 2045.

We are now also stepping up action on climate change with a significant suite of new policies.

More ➡️ gov.scot/news/stepping-…

The Single Application Form (SAF) window is open. Farmers, crofters and agricultural businesses have until 15 May to submit a SAF online.
For assistance with you application or registering on Rural Payments and Services, contact your local area office ➡️ tinyurl.com/e9kd4j2s

Reminder! Applications for slurry storage and the standalone irrigation lagoon options under the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme close on 19 April 2024. This will be the final year that support will be available for slurry storage. More info ➡️ tinyurl.com/2ztbez3r