Farmers Have Everything To Gain From A Galloway National Park

Farming in Galloway and across South West Scotland needs help and support in the face of multiple challenges - a National Park in Galloway is the natural way forward.

Today's fully researched report from The Scottish Environment LINK network, Farming Benefits of National Parks, shows how National Parks in Scotland and beyond provide practical help and solutions with grants, advice, partnership schemes and marketing opportunities.

The Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) believes this could be a huge benefit in Galloway where a dozen dairy farmers have just lost their milk contracts with Lactalis (see Farmers Weekly).

Neil Picken, GNPA Trustee, who has a 330-acre farm on the Solway coast, within the area currently under consideration for the proposed Galloway National Park, said: "A National Park will bring investment to the area, and we need to bring in well-paid jobs to stop our young people leaving.

“Schools are shutting for lack of pupils. We can sit back and do nothing, but this is our golden chance to do something different.

“National Parks are successful worldwide, we need to grasp this opportunity. We need to get people back on the land and in the villages.

“Now there are opportunities to discuss the future with NatureScot, and we need to take these – it’s far better to engage than to oppose as there are so many possibilities for win-wins.

“We need people on the ground getting involved with making the policies and getting proactive to make a success of this opportunity."

The Link report recognises that Scottish National Parks are working landscapes which need to support thriving and profitable businesses which can also deliver for nature and climate.

The GNPA says it shows how Park Authorities are a positive force in bringing together farmers and others for a better future.

Key benefits include:

·       Land managers would have access to additional funding and advice to help them accelerate change towards net zero and being nature positive

·       A GNP would provide additional opportunities for land managers to diversify and add value to their existing primary production of food and timber which will also deliver wider benefits for our communities and Scotland as a whole.

·       Major advantages in being able to market local produce using a globally recognised brand.

·       Lots of opportunities for diversification into areas like agritourism – which bring income to farms and help visitors learn about rural and agricultural life.

• Access to additional help and advice in creating sustainable businesses.

What’s more the Scottish Government’s rural payments system and land management regime are the same both inside and outside Scottish National Parks.

It’s also a boost for younger generations who currently see little future in primary food production but could be attracted by diversification and more ecofriendly farming.

·       The report – which contains a series of case studies from existing National Parks – can be found at Publications - Scotlink.

·       Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 40 member bodies including RSPB Scotland, WWF, The Woodland Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust and The National Trust for Scotland. See www.scotlink.org/link-campaigns/nature-for-all/