Scottish Government

Priority Code

Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities

Relevant Packages

CLY03

3. Improved business competitiveness or sustainability, through improved management or improved animal health and welfare by supporting land managers to undertake practical, vocational or business skills training (especially where it complements other capital investments or changes in business structure or orientation). Particularly proposals that:

• develop the leadership, managerial and technical skills of land managers to enhance business competitiveness
• promote skills training, including collaborative ventures, where there are recognised skills gaps or skill needs relating to new investment, diversification into new markets or new areas of activity
• encourage the dissemination of best practice in sustainable land management practices alongside best practice in business management
• introduce new trainees into the forestry sector or seek to improve the forestry skills of other land managers with an active interest in forestry and in diversifying their own traditional activities
• encourage land managers to increase their skills in incorporating environmental and social objectives into their business activities

2-4, 33 & 35

CLY04

4. Active management or the use of the land for productive purposes, by supporting capital investment in small-scale crofting or crofting-type production.

Not applicable to the Clyde Valley region.

N/A

CLY05

5. New or expanded demand led markets, through encouraging producers, processors, retailers and others in the supply chain to work together and build capacity. Particularly proposals that:

• support the development of woodfuel/biomass utilising wood grown in the Clyde Valley region including local woodfuel clusters and other measures as outlined in the GCV Wood Energy Study
• support the development of new products such as woodfuel/biomass, quality food and drink, and tourism
• encourage small-scale woodland owners, such as farmers, to add-value to woodland products derived from their woods
• support co-operative projects with particular emphasis given to new innovative products
• encourage greater co-operation between businesses that increases the efficiency of the local supply chain and provides better returns to the primary producer, e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration
• assist with the establishment of improved direct marketing across the Clyde Valley Region, such as Clyde Valley Farms.

1-4 & 35

CLY06

6. Local wealth and reduce food/timber miles (especially in relation to food, drink, wood-fuel and biomass), through expansion of local sale and added value processing of primary agricultural and forestry products. Particularly proposals that:

• support new or existing initiatives and historic Market Towns to market local produce including local shops, markets and fairs
• support the development of woodfuel/biomass utilising wood grown in the Clyde Valley Region including local woodfuel clusters and other measures as outlined in the Scottish Biomass Action Plan, for example Lanarkshire Biomass
• encourage a stronger, more diverse local forestry sector including maintaining a significant timber production capacity, retaining and developing local timber processing facilities where appropriate
• developing opportunities particularly amongst small-scale woodland owners, such as farmers, to add value to woodland products through markets closer to their woodlands, e.g. quality wood craft products, woodfuel supply chains and businesses, and forest recreation businesses.

1, 33 & 35

CLY07a

7a. Enhanced viability and improved quality of primary products, where such will improve economic viability, through improved management practices (e.g. improved timber quality through good silviculture), particularly in areas that will most benefit from sustainable community development, employment and rural diversification, and through improvements in transport infrastructure, e.g. agreements developed in partnership with regional Timber Transport Groups. Particularly proposals that:

• focus on improving timber quality through highest standards of good silviculture, including use of genetically improved planting stock
• enhance woodland management, particularly for farm woodlands and under-managed woods, where proposals will lead to increasing productive potential
• develop of products that enhance the viability and identity of food and drink derived from the Clyde Valley Region.

1, 3, 4, 33 & 35

CLY07b

7b. Organic conversion and maintenance - develop the production, processing and marketing opportunities for the organic sector in Scotland and in doing so deliver biodiversity, pollution control, energy efficiency and soil protection benefits. Particularly proposals which:

• promote greater balance between supply and demand for Scottish organic produce, particularly where they identify opportunities to add value or help grow the sector.