Scottish Government

Priority Code

Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities

Relevant Packages

FOR03

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
• promote skills training where there are skills gaps relating to new investment, diversification into new markets or new areas of activity
• combine best practice in sustainable land management and business management
• introduce new trainees into the forestry sector, or improve the forestry skills of land managers with an interest in diversifying
• build skills in incorporating environmental and social objectives into business activities.

2-4, 33 & 35

FOR04

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 Forth RPAC area.

N/A

FOR05

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:

• develop new products in renewable energy (such as woodfuel/biomass), quality food and drink or tourism, or significantly expand existing businesses in these sectors
• involve collaboration with others, particularly with new innovative products
• encourage small scale woodland owners to add value to wood products
• encourage greater co-operation between businesses to increase the efficiency of the local supply chain and provide better returns to the primary producer (e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration).

1-4, 33 & 35

FOR06

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:

• encourage a stronger, more diverse local forestry sector including: maintaining a significant timber production capacity; retaining and developing local timber processing facilities; developing quality wood craft products; developing woodfuel businesses and supply chains, and; developing forest recreation businesses
• support initiatives to market local produce.

1, 33 & 35

FOR07a

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:

• promote good silviculture to improve timber quality, including the use of genetically improved tree planting stock to enhance timber productivity
• improve the potential for growing quality hardwood timber on suitable sites
• enhance woodland management, especially to improve the productivity of farm woodlands and under-managed woodlands
• support the Scottish Timber Transport Group and Strategic Timber Transport overview for Stirling.

1, 3-4, 33 & 35

FOR07b

b. 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, especially where they identify opportunities to add value or help grow the sector.

1, 2, 4, 9-11, 14, 17, 27-30 & 34