Enhancing participation in agri-environmental schemes (AES): A Scottish case study

Abstract

Scotland is undergoing a major period of agricultural reform, with a new agri-environmental scheme (AES) package aimed at positioning the country as a leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. For these reforms to succeed, farmer participation must be maximised through effective, accessible, and flexible scheme design. A national survey of farmers and advisers was conducted to assess perceptions of current AES and identify barriers to uptake. AES were perceived to be financially risky, particularly due to uncertainty around application success and the potential consequences of non-compliance. Schemes were also seen as inflexible, with concerns centred on narrow application windows, limited control over contracted land, and rigid contract terms. While environmental awareness and social support were generally high, many respondents lacked clear information on which nature-based solutions (NbS) were appropriate for their farms. The application process was also perceived as overly complex, with poor feedback and limited communication from administering bodies. The Scottish Government’s proposed four-tier agricultural support framework offers a structured opportunity to address these challenges. Tier 2, which provides outcome-based and universally accessible payments, has strong potential to reduce perceived financial risk while offering greater flexibility through tailored options. To enhance awareness, information-sharing, and social acceptability, Tier 4 should support voluntary, farmer-led clusters with access to public and private advisory services. To improve application clarity, a streamlined online portal is recommended, modelled on England’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme, with clear, accessible guidance and built-in feedback mechanisms. These three recommendations align with the structure of the proposed support framework and directly address the key barriers identified by farmers and advisers. Their implementation would support the delivery of a more inclusive, practical, and effective AES capable of meeting Scotland’s agricultural and environmental goals.