The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Business viability and competitiveness priorities

Relevant

Packages

1. Capital investment in agricultural businesses where the investment will:

BOR01a

a. reduce production costs. Particularly proposals that:

• are aimed at increasing the efficiency of the business (particularly livestock production in the Less Favoured Area and arable production in the Non-LFA).

BOR01b

b. enhance the productivity of the business. Particularly proposals that:

• seek to make use of improved techniques in livestock and arable production and including diversification opportunities.

BOR01c

c. make the business better able to respond to market demand. Parlicularly proposals that:

• are from applicants participating in a local marketing or promotion scheme
• demonstrate an innovative approach to developing new products and a strong identity for food and drink derived from the Borders area making use of local provenance
• are from applicants that take part in direct marketing activities both locally and beyond.

BOR01d

d. enhance the quality of the commodities produced by the business. Particularly proposals that:

• increase quality and local distinctiveness of commodities produced by the business,

e.g.

BOR01e

e. maintain and improve animal health and welfare standards. Particularly proposals that:

• participate in a recognised animal health schemes to improve the efficiency and marketability of livestock
• make best use of latest technical advice and knowledge in animal health and welfare.
• participate in a recognised quality assurance scheme.

BOR01f

f. facilitate better waste management. Particularly proposals that:

• involve the use of an innovative approach to waste management, e.g.

1. bio-digesters that deal with food and animal waste and as a source of sustainable energy; local composting

Proposals that involve implementation of best practice in waste recycling.

BOR01g

g. mitigate farm pollution and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions (in specific areas - see "Water and Soils").

Proposals which will reduce the environmental impact of the business.

BOR02

2. A viable, competitive or sustainable farming sector, through encouraging new entrants to restructure or modernised farm businesses. Particularly proposals that:

• encourage new entrants to provide or upgrade buildings and associated structures, necessary equipment, infrastructure or information technology as well as associated fees, where it can be shown that these investments:

BOR03

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 involve land managers' attendance at local sharing-good-practice meetings that involve demonstration of best practice and dissemination to other businesses in Borders area
• where there is a demonstrable skills gap support for practical, vocational or business skills development which will help the farming and forestry sector manage business in a more competitive or sustainable way
• that improve the availability and uptake of appropriate training for the sector and the promotion of the value of transferable skills, to meet the needs of industry and employers
• that introduce new trainees into the forestry sector or seeking to improve the forestry skills of other land managers with an active interest in forestry and in diversifying their own traditional activities
• that support land managers to increase their skills on incorporating environmental and social objectives into their business activities.