Scottish Government

Priority Code

Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities

Relevant Packages

D+G04

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

Not applicable in Dumfries and Galloway

D+G05

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:

• encourage greater co-operation between (particularly food) businesses that increases the efficiency of the local food supply chain and provides better returns to the primary producer, e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration
• shorten the links between producer and consumer, e.g. between processors (especially finishers and slaughter houses) distributors, caterers (including public sector), local consumer outlets, and the hospitality industry
• assist with the establishment of improved and sustainable direct marketing across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond
• help to establish local food hubs - that seek to share costs in marketing, distribution, and administration enabling the supply of local produce to caterers and the hospitality industry both within and beyond Dumfries and Galloway
• support the development of woodfuel/biomass utilising wood grown in Dumfries and Galloway including local woodfuel clusters and other measures as outlined in the Scottish Biomass Action Plan
• support the development of new products such as woodfuel/biomass, quality food and drink, and tourism.

D+G06

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

• support for expansion of local sales and added value of primary agricultural and forestry products and businesses including through adding cultural and environmental value
• facilitate the use of local produce at all sizes of events (e.g. meetings, conferences, food festivals, music and other cultural events)
• encourage applicants to take part in collaborative marketing of Dumfries and Galloway products
• retain and develop local timber processing facilities where appropriate
• develop 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 woodcraft products, woodfuel supply chains and businesses, and forest recreation businesses.

D+G07a

a. 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:

• improve the management and performance of food production aimed at ensuring compliance with additional standards requirements
• demonstrate the potential of alternative production systems, e.g.

• focus on improving timber quality through highest standards of good silviculture, including use of genetically improved planting stock
• provide transport links and partnership working with bodies, which link effectively with the Strategic Timber Transport overview for Dumfries and Galloway and align well with the objectives of the Scottish Timber Transport Fund
• enhance woodland management, particularly for farm woodlands and under-managed woods, where proposals will lead to increasing productive potential.

D+G07b

b. Organics 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 that:

• support conversion to, and maintenance of, organic farming methods where they contribute to the climate change action including greater energy efficiency
• support conversion to, and maintenance of, organic farming methods where they contribute to the more sensitive management of Dumfries and Galloway biodiversity priorities on farm wide or landscape scale
• involve conversion to, and maintenance of, organic farming methods where these improve water quality and contribute to reduced diffuse pollution
• support conversion to, and maintenance of, organic farming methods where they provide a viable means for farm businesses to diversify.