Report on New Farming Starter Opportunities on Publicly Owned Land

Annex 6

New Entrants Support Group

(i) To help ensure that Scotland meets its European obligations in its provision of advice to farm businesses, we know that historically Scotland's Rural College have delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government a wide range of public good advice (cross-compliance, climate change, pollution prevention etc.) on a generic basis through the 'Veterinary and Advisory Service'.

(ii) Key amongst this advice is delivering a programme of advice to ensure that potential and aspiring New Entrants to the agricultural industry are aware of the opportunities that exist and have a skills set that equips them for success in the industry.

(iii) Activities centre on a series of training workshops. New Entrants belong to groups based on a geographical spread across Scotland. Subject areas will be predominantly business orientated but include scope for flexibility to cater for specific topics requested by groups.

(iv) Under the SRDP (during 2016), we recognise launch (September 2016) of a new Farm Advisory Service that aims to provide an enhanced dedicated provision for New Entrants including a new mentoring service.