Scottish Government

Priority

Code

Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities

Relevant Packages

HIG04

Active management or the use of the land for productive purposes, by supporting capital investment in small scale crofting or crofting-type production. In particular proposals that are not deemed to be maintenance/repair works and involve:

• capital investment to establish/maintain traditional crofting activity, including keeping livestock particularly cattle, on croft land or croft type production units
• capital investment for horticulture and innovative croft enterprises where a viable business case has been made
• collaborative projects promoting the active and productive use of croft land particularly common grazing land.

HIG05

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

• encourage new/greater cooperation between businesses to increase the efficiency of the local food/drink supply chain and provide better returns to the primary producer
• shorten the links between primary producer and consumer, e.g. between processors and distributors
• assist with the establishment of improved and sustainable direct marketing across Highland and beyond.

HIG06

To promote local wealth and reduce food/timber miles (especially in relation to food, drink, woodfuel and biomass), through expansion of local sale and added value processing of primary agricultural and forestry products. In particular:

• proposals which support the local development of woodfuel/biomass utilising wood grown in Highland including local wood fuel clusters and other measures as outlined in the Scottish Biomass Action Plan
• proposals which support the development of new primary agricultural and forestry products including game and woodfuel/biomass
• proposals that support the development of new products, including renewable energy developments such as woodfuel/biomass, quality food and drink, and tourism
• proposals that support new or existing initiatives to market local produce, including game and including local markets and fairs
• proposals that encourage small-scale woodland owners to add value to woodland products derived from their woodlands, particularly by local processing.

HIG07a

a Enhanced viability and improved quality of primary products, where this 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.

In particular proposals that:

• promote good silviculture to improve timber quality including the use of genetically improved tree planting stock to enhance timber productivity
• optimise the potential for growing quality hardwood timber on suitable sites
• enhance woodland management, particularly for riparian and under-managed woodlands where proposals will enhance their productive potential.
• utilise the Scottish Timber Transport Fund and link well with alternative haul route, sea and rail transport initiatives supported by the Highland Timber Transport Group
• improve management practices, particularly in areas that will most benefit from sustainable community development, employment and rural diversification
• improve transport infrastructure where no other appropriate funding is available

HIG07b

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. In particular, proposals that involve:

• the conversion to, and maintenance, of certified organic status where this is demonstrably meeting a developing local and/or national demand for organic produce
• the delivery of additional biodiversity, pollution control, energy efficiency and soil protection benefits.