Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024

3 Rural support plan: matters to be considered

(1) The Scottish Ministers must have regard to the following matters when preparing or amending a rural support plan under section 2.

(2) The matters are—

(a) the objectives set out in section 1,

(b) the proposals and policies contained in the climate change plan which relate to agriculture, forestry and rural land use,

(c) any other statutory duty of the Scottish Ministers relating to agriculture, forestry, rural land use, biodiversity or the environment,

(d) developments in the law and policy of the European Union,

(e) the desirability of the agricultural sector operating with fair work principles,

(f) the objectives of a plan produced under section 1 of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022,

(g) the need for sustainable food systems and supply chains in delivering food security,

(h) the benefits of a diverse and resilient agricultural sector including small producers, tenant farmers, crofters and agricultural co-operative societies.

(3) For the purpose of subsection (2), the “climate change plan” means the plan laid before the Scottish Parliament under section 35 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify this section to add, adjust or remove a matter to which regard must be had.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) are subject to the affirmative procedure.