Scottish Government

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CENTRAL RESEARCH UNIT

Countryside and Natural Heritage Research ProgrammeResearch Findings No. 17

Flora Celtica: Sustainable Development of Scottish plants

William Milliken and Sam Bridgewater
Edinburgh Development Consultants and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

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Main Findings

• Native plants have the potential to play a significant role in a wide range of sectors. These include food and drinks, medicines, seaweed products, crafts, environmental applications and cosmetics. Most existing Scottish businesses based on native plant products are small or in a few cases medium-sized. They can, however, provide important jobs in the rural economy, particularly in remoter communities where employment opportunities are limited.
• The sustainable use of natural resources can assist in the promotion of biodiversity and conservation. The use of native plants in Scotland could help to provide a useful model for sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Native plants may also provide opportunities for farm and croft diversification and the development of novel crops.
• At present the most significant commercial uses of wild plants in Scotland are in the food and environmental sectors. There is an expanding market for medicinal plants, 'nutraceuticals' and cosmetics that is currently met by imports. There is potential for Scottish plants in these markets, but successful development will require increased engagement with the dynamics of world markets, and appropriate marketing strategies. Markets for raw materials are highly competitive, and effective local value addition (processing) is in most cases essential.
• The continued uses of native Scottish plants at commercial, semi-commercial or domestic levels, is not only valuable in an economic context. Practical use of native plants helps to foster an understanding of biodiversity and sustainability, and will raise awareness of the importance of plants in Scotland's cultural and natural heritage.

Potential use and implications

Many of the native plant products traded in Europe are derived from species that are common in Scotland. There is potential for the establishment of new Scottish supplies of some of these products. Identification of the most appropriate species requires further market research. In most cases this could only be made viable by establishment of efficient cultivation systems.

Prices for raw materials are generally low and unstable, and mechanisms for adding value (i.e. processing or final product development) are likely to be necessary for businesses trading in them.

In some rural areas wild harvesting of medicinal/ aromatic plants may present a viable option. This could be particularly relevant to crofting communities, where seasonal collection can be dovetailed with other activities. This is only likely to be viable if products can be processed and marketed co-operatively.

Conservation and sustainable use

There is a growing realisation among conservation organisations in Scotland of the need for building links between sustainable development and protection of biodiversity. Many are keen to see economic benefits derived from their reserves. All, however, stipulate that any such venture must be demonstrably sustainable in order to be acceptable.

There is currently no effective mechanism for guaranteeing sustainability of wild-harvested Scottish plants, and little data on the levels of harvesting that species can bear. Furthermore, the current wildlife legislation (Wildlife and Countryside Act) is not set up for regulating large-scale commercial exploitation of wild plant populations. If wild harvesting is to grow, these issues will need to be addressed.

Marketing

The key to the development of new plant products, or entry into existing competitive markets, is effective marketing and market research. Projects in this field have failed as a result of insufficient understanding of the industry rather than inability to produce the plant product.

Certification schemes for sustainably produced products have the potential to add value or influence consumer choice, but only in a market where consumers are both informed and concerned. There are indications that deliberate branding of products as 'Scottish' could benefit native plant product marketing, building on Scotland's 'clean green' image. This is likely to be most relevant at the higher-value end of the market.

The new National Parks planned for Scotland offer a valuable opportunity to develop model projects of sustainable harvesting and trial cultivation of native plants. Resulting products might also benefit from local-level (in this case Park-level) branding schemes. Such systems are already in operation overseas.

Native Scottish plants may have roles to play in farm diversification and the development of novel crops. Some Scottish research institutes are already working in this field. The decline of livestock farming has focused particular attention on alternative uses for hill land, to which many of Scotland's native species are adapted. There is growing interest in the potential for novel pharmaceutical products from northern temperate plant species, and a number of research projects around Britain have begun work in this field.

One of the markets that may present the most promising opportunities is the food and drinks industry (e.g. novel flavouring products, beverages and fresh herbs). Natural dyes from native plants, e.g. for food and cosmetic products may also provide commercial opportunities.

Development

There are useful lessons to be learned from the native plant industries in other European countries, which in most cases are more developed than our own.

In some cases the economic returns to be derived from commercial exploitation of native plants may be marginal. However, when combined with other habitat management activities, they can help to make these otherwise uneconomic but nonetheless important practices more viable.

Sectoral Analysis

Food and Drink

The food and drink sector is currently the most successful, profitable and rapidly expanding commercial application of native Scottish plants. There is considerable scope for further development of food and drink products incorporating native Scottish plants.

Medicines and Aromatic Plants

There is a substantial expanding market for medicinal and aromatic plants both in the UK and overseas. Although there is potential for the increased cultivation of medicinal plants in Scotland, there are various challenges that need to be met. These include market instability and the problems of competing with countries where labour and processing costs are low.

Environmental

The environmental uses of native plants, e.g. native tree production for landscaping enhancement and erosion control, involve substantial numbers of people in Scotland (particularly in rural areas), in many cases in a part-time capacity.

Crafts

The majority of the consumption of native plant materials for crafts (e.g. basketry) in Scotland is for domestic use or small businesses (cottage industries).

It is unlikely that any of these businesses will expand to become significant industries. However, there remains a specialist market for 'traditional' products of particular interest to tourists.

There may be economic opportunities in providing native plant materials to service the domestic (hobby) market, e.g. with basketry, dried dye plants, etc.

Seaweed

Seaweed is one of Scotland's most abundant natural plant resources, and the seaweed industry has historically played a significant role in the Scottish economy. Until recently it supplied raw materials for the alginate industry. However, with emerging overseas supplies the Scottish industry is no longer competitive in this field. Future potential markets for Scottish seaweeds appear to be shifting from low-quality high-volume (basic raw material) production to higher-quality products.

Cosmetics and Toiletries

The use of native plants in cosmetic products and toiletries in Scotland is currently very small. Although a number of significant companies manufacture cosmetics and toiletries featuring 'native Scottish plants', the raw and processed material they use is almost exclusively imported. There would potentially be a demand for such 'home-produced' products in the UK cosmetics/toiletries industry, but only if they could be produced at a competitive price.

Wood and wood products

The native timber industry represents the most significant and economically important use of native plants in Scotland. There is scope for further expansion in this sector, depending on local value-addition, effective forest management, investment and strategic planning.

About the Study

Dr William Milliken and Sam Bridgewater of Edinburgh development Consultants and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh undertook the study between October 2000 and March 2001. Research involved an analysis of data from the RBGE's Flora Celtica initiative, a literature and internet review, and consultation with over 120 experts. The authors wish to acknowledge the co-operation of all individuals and organisations consulted during the study.

The Project was funded by the Scottish Executive Agriculture and Biological Research Group Flexible Fund.