A new University of Stirling study has shed light on the obstacles preventing Scottish farmers from joining agri-environmental schemes, warning that red tape and financial uncertainty are discouraging widespread participation.
The research, led by PhD student David Bryan from the University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, found that many farmers in Scotland care deeply about environmental stewardship and are keen to enter schemes that reward climate- and nature-friendly land management. However, the study shows that many are held back by financial risk, unclear guidance, rigid structures and limited flexibility.
The findings come as Scotland undergoes its most significant agricultural policy overhaul in decades, with the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 replacing the EU subsidy model with a new four-tier system designed to support food production, rural livelihoods and environmental action.
The study highlights several core barriers to participation, including uncertainty over whether applications will be approved, concerns about penalties, inconsistent advice, short application windows and the difficulties posed by long-term commitments. Social influences also play a role: encouragement from family and local farming communities tends to increase involvement, while farmers with higher education levels show stronger environmental engagement.
Bryan said the research arrives at a pivotal moment for Scotland’s agricultural transition.
“These insights come at a crucial time as Scotland reforms its agricultural support system. The findings help policymakers understand what works and what doesn’t for farmers on the ground, ensuring the new support framework is inclusive and effective.”
He added that the project identifies practical ways to unlock more participation: “By identifying clear, evidence-based ways to improve participation, the research supports Scotland’s ambition to lead in sustainable, nature-positive farming.”
Under the Scottish Government’s new structure, Tier 1 provides universal baseline payments for meeting environmental and welfare standards. Tier 2 rewards farmers for adopting greener practices, such as reduced tillage or habitat creation. Tier 3 mirrors the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) with targeted, long-term projects, while Tier 4 focuses on training, advice and collaboration through local clusters.
The study recommends expanding Tier 4 to deliver more farmer-led training and advisory networks, making Tier 2 payments outcome-based and universally accessible, and offering a simpler application process modelled on England’s ELM scheme. It also calls for optional contract lengths and region-specific design to better reflect local conditions.
Source - https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
