<Press Release from Soil Association Scotland 19 June 2025>

A new alliance of farmers, crofters and food system organisations is calling on the Scottish Government to commit to funding a fair and ambitious agricultural transition.

Launching their campaign at last week’s Royal Highland Show, the Scottish Agroecology Partnership (SAP) is putting forward a set of concrete policy asks to support the shift toward sustainable and regenerative farming in Scotland.

The Scottish Agroecology Partnership is a collaboration between eight organisations: Soil Association Scotland, Nature Friendly Farming Network, Scottish Crofting Federation, Landworkers’ Alliance, Propagate, the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, Pasture for Life, and Nourish Scotland.

Together, they represent a growing movement of farmers, crofters and landworkers who are already delivering public goods – like biodiversity, climate resilience and good food – on the ground.

The partnership launched at a reception event at the Royal Highland Show on Thursday 19 June 2025, in the Scottish Government Pavillion. This included a panel discussion with farmers.

SAP’s message is clear: the people who grow Scotland’s food must be at the heart of shaping the country’s agricultural future. The group is calling for public support to be redirected toward farming practices that restore ecosystems, strengthen rural communities, and build a more resilient food system.

Organic farmer Denise Walton, who farms cattle at Peelham Farm in Berwickshire, said: “Farming can deliver so many of the solutions we all know we need. As a farming business we know well the challenges this places on our industry. We can only deliver the essential change together in progressive partnerships like the Scottish Agroecology Partnership, which is pushing for an effective and supported transition for farmers, crofters, food production, and our environment."

SAP’s seven key policy asks include reforms to income support, investment in local food infrastructure, dedicated funding for organic and small-scale horticulture, and support for knowledge exchange among farmers and crofters. The group argues that these steps are essential to ensuring that public money delivers the greatest possible public benefit.

The call comes at a critical moment as the Scottish Government develops the framework for its new agricultural support scheme under the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act.
 

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