Scottish grants for bracken and skills training announced
© Stephen/Adobe Stock Scottish rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon unveiled two funding opportunities for the farming sector at AgriScot on Wednesday (22 November).
The first is an increase in funding from £225/ha to £720/ha through the Forestry Grant Scheme.
This grant is available to help Scottish farmers control bracken on sites that could be suitable for new woodland creation.
See also: Scotland and Wales denied use of bracken control herbicide
Bracken control in Scotland is at present limited to mechanical and manual methods such as cutting, bruising, and pulling, after the Scottish government refused to authorise the use of Asulox earlier in the year.
Ms Gougeon said: “The tripling of the grant rate will make a significant contribution to the costs involved in controlling bracken at a time when the cost of living is proving difficult.
“Ultimately this will help in getting new trees in the ground, resulting in a welcome boost to our yearly woodland creation targets.”
Scotland is aiming to create 18,000ha of new woodland by 2024-25 and the government has also invested £1m in staffing to speed up approvals through the woodland creation scheme.
Women in agriculture
The Scottish government also announced funding for training courses delivered by Lantra Scotland for women and young people in agriculture.
Funding of £400,000 is available through the Next Generation Practical Training Fund, and a further £170,000 is being provided for the Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund.
Each successful course applicant will receive up to £500 to cover the cost of the training.
Ms Gougeon said the funding encourages women and girls to learn additional practical skills to progress their businesses and careers, which in turn can open up new employment opportunities for them.
Lantra Scotland director Liz Barron-Majerik added: “These funds are intended to benefit women in agriculture and new entrants to the industry and I’m delighted that we’re going to be managing them on behalf of the Scottish government.”