David Bryan, PhD Researcher in Biological and Environmental Sciences, at the University of Stirling explores the crossroads facing farming.

Scotland’s farming sector is undergoing the biggest reform in a generation. The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 replaces EU-era subsidies with a new homegrown system designed to deliver food security, support rural livelihoods, and tackle the climate and nature crises.

This is not happening in isolation. Across the UK and Europe, governments are rethinking agricultural support in response to Brexit, rising food costs, and intensifying environmental pressures. The old EU Common Agricultural Policy was widely criticised for rewarding land ownership over environmental action. The new Scottish framework instead promises “public money for public goods” — rewarding farmers for restoring habitats, cutting emissions, and improving soil and water quality.

The ambition is clear. But whether it succeeds will depend on how these reforms are experienced by the people expected to deliver them on the ground.

What farmers and advisers are saying
Responses from farmers and advisers across Scotland highlight both the barriers that discourage participation and the motivations that could drive it.

• Risk and uncertainty: Many farmers viewed existing schemes as financially precarious. Concerns centred on whether applications would succeed, the potential for penalties if requirements were not met, and the burden of being tied into long-term contracts. In an industry already exposed to market shocks and weather extremes, these risks were often seen as too high.
• Confusing and inconsistent processes: Guidance for applications was widely criticised as unclear, with some respondents describing communication with officials as one-directional and unresponsive. Advisers in particular highlighted the frustration of navigating complex rules with limited constructive feedback.
• Inflexible design: Current schemes were seen as too rigid to accommodate the realities of Scotland’s varied farming systems. Short application windows, standardised contract terms, and limits on land management choices left many feeling excluded — especially tenant farmers with less control over how their land is used.

At the same time, the research reveals strong foundations on which to build. Farmers expressed a deep sense of environmental responsibility, often tied to stewardship of the land for future generations. Community backing and encouragement from family members were shown to increase willingness to adopt wildlife improvements, while education and access to trusted advice supported higher engagement.

What needs to change
Our findings suggest three priorities for policymakers as Scotland’s new support framework takes shape:

• Strengthen local networks: Farmers are more likely to take part when they feel supported by peers and trusted advisers. Funding voluntary, farmer-led clusters would provide practical training, shared knowledge, and social backing that can increase uptake and confidence.
• Reduce risk and improve flexibility: Payments should be designed to give farmers confidence that their efforts will be rewarded fairly, without exposing them to unnecessary financial or regulatory risk. Offering more flexible contract lengths and tailoring measures to regional conditions would allow farmers—especially tenants and risk-averse businesses—to engage with greater security.
• Simplify the process: A streamlined digital application portal, backed by clear guidance and constructive feedback, would remove one of the biggest barriers to participation. Improving communication between officials, advisers, and farmers would help rebuild trust and reduce the bureaucratic burden.

Why this matters now
Agri-environmental schemes are more than a funding mechanism. They are a cornerstone of Scotland’s wider strategy for tackling climate change, reversing biodiversity loss, and securing rural livelihoods. Without high levels of participation, these ambitions risk remaining out of reach.

The message from farmers and advisers is unambiguous: they are ready to contribute to Scotland’s environmental goals, but only if support is designed in ways that are workable, fair, and responsive to the realities of farming life.

David Bryan is PhD Researcher in Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling’s Faculty of Natural Sciences. Read his full study.