Scottish government to reject livestock cuts in climate plan

Scotland’s livestock sector has been handed a timely boost after the Scottish government confirmed it will reject proposals to cut cattle and sheep numbers in its new draft Climate Change Plan to 2040.

The move, which confirms earlier comments by Scottish government, was set out formally last week when cabinet secretary for energy and climate change Gillian Martin unveiled the 75-page strategy in the Scottish Parliament.

She said the government’s route to net zero by 2045 would not come “at the expense of farmers and crofters”.

See also: Scottish ag census reveals worrying fall in livestock numbers

Her statement marks a clear divergence from the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC), which had recommended that Scotland’s livestock population be reduced by about 2m to meet future carbon budgets.

Ms Martin said the Scottish government would take “a distinctly Scottish way” that keeps livestock production at the heart of rural life while still cutting agricultural emissions.

“We will support farmers, crofters and other land managers to continue to produce high-quality food and protect rural livelihoods, while enhancing diversity, soil health and agricultural business productivity,” she told members of MSPs during the debate on the draft plan in Holyrood on 6 November.

Ms Martin added: “Cutting our livestock numbers would mean that we would import more produce from outside the UK. That would not help to reduce emissions globally.”

Improve soil and peatlands

Instead of reducing herd sizes, the draft plan places greater emphasis on climate-friendly farming practices, such as improving soil and animal health, restoring degraded peatland, and increasing tree planting on farms.

The cabinet secretary said that emissions savings in other sectors – especially energy and transport – would also create room for agriculture to adapt more gradually.

However, Scottish Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie accused the government of ignoring the CCC’s expert advice on agriculture and warned that it was “slowing down” climate action at a time when Scotland needed to catch up.

Farmers ‘part of the solution’

Ms Martin defended the decision as a practical and fair route to net zero. “We need to bring farmers with us… realise that they are part of the solution and not work against them,” she said.

It was important that government does not put “an additional burden on farmers and effectively destroy the industry, which is very much part of the fabric of Scotland and is critical to our economy”, she added.

The draft Climate Change Plan outlines more than 150 measures to be delivered by 2040, with a 120-day public consultation now under way.

The policy confirmation has been widely welcomed by rural and farming organisations, including NFU Scotland (NFUS).

NFUS vice-president Duncan Macalister said: “We are pleased the Scottish government has recognised that reducing livestock here would only increase imports and fail to deliver genuine global climate benefits.

“Our farmers and crofters are already delivering practical action on climate – improving efficiency, enhancing soil and animal health, and protecting biodiversity – while continuing to produce high-quality, sustainable food.”