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News

NFFN Scotland hosting first Summit

Scotland
Events
food system
nature-friendly farming
policy

We’re bringing farmers, policymakers and environmental organisations together to shape a resilient, nature-friendly future for Scottish agriculture.

NFFN Scotland is hosting its first Nature Friendly Farming Summit to set out its vision for a resilient future in which productive farming and a healthy natural environment go hand in hand to support the rural economy and communities.

On Tuesday 7 October, farmers, policymakers, and environmental organisations will come together in Edinburgh to explore the path towards a more sustainable food and farming system in Scotland - and the challenges we must overcome.

‘Scotland’s Nature Friendly Farming Summit: Farming for Nature, Profit and Public Good’ takes place at Dynamic Earth, next to the Scottish Parliament, and will highlight the crucial role farmers play in restoring nature and biodiversity, tackling climate change and ensuring long-term food security.

Ambition and action across the sector

This is a crucial moment to bring together decision-makers, farmers and rural organisations, as Scotland undergoes significant agricultural policy reform. The system of farm payments is evolving: while area-based payments remain in place, they are now increasingly linked to conditions that reflect wider priorities, including environmental and rural outcomes, alongside food production. 

We believe greater ambition is needed to support farms that work with nature, from the government through to the private sector and supply chain. 

We’re bringing together the people with the power to reform Scotland’s food and farming system - alongside farmers, environmentalists and young people - to discuss where we currently stand on protecting nature and supporting rural businesses, where we want to go and how we bridge that gap.

Adam Forrest

Adam Forrest, NFFN Scotland Manager, said: “We are at a pivotal point in Scotland’s agricultural transition, and it’s clear that not enough is being done for nature - even though we know it underpins the long-term resilience and success of our food and farming sector.

“We’re bringing together the people with the power to reform Scotland’s food and farming system - alongside farmers, environmentalists and young people - to discuss where we currently stand on protecting nature and supporting rural businesses, where we want to go and how we bridge that gap.

“Everyone in the room at this summit shares the same goal: a healthy food and farming sector, and thriving nature. This is a unique and valuable opportunity for open, honest discussion about the challenges we face - while also celebrating the trailblazing work already happening across Scotland.”

Facing the challenges, seizing the opportunities

The programme will showcase how a healthy natural environment and resilient farm businesses go hand in hand. NFFN farmers will share how putting nature at the heart of what they do - prioritising soil health and habitat as part of food production - is delivering positive outcomes for their farms. 

The summit will look at landscape-scale approaches and share successful examples of how nature-friendly farming can deliver for both people and the planet. 

The event will also explore the challenges of scaling up nature-friendly farming and embedding it as standard across Scotland. Discussions will focus on how funding is used to support farmers and their businesses, and the important role of both public and private sectors in enabling a just transition to more sustainable ways of working.

It is now impossible to ignore the serious challenges posed by our changing climate. Every farmer in Scotland, and across the UK for that matter, has felt the impact of recent heatwaves, droughts and floods. 

Denise Walton

Denise Walton, NFFN Scotland Chair and a farmer in the Scottish Borders, added: “It is now impossible to ignore the serious challenges posed by our changing climate. Every farmer in Scotland, and across the UK for that matter, has felt the impact of recent heatwaves, droughts and floods. 

“As a sector, we need to show leadership - not only by recognising what needs to be done, but by demonstrating that we’ve already begun the work. Farming is uniquely placed to be part of the solution to the climate crisis, with huge potential to deliver environmental public goods. However, farms are also businesses and without profitability, neither climate action nor nature recovery will be possible.

“I hope the summit reflects the urgency of this moment and shows the conviction and commitment needed to overcome the challenges standing between us and a viable future.”

  • The event is now sold-out. 

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