Individuals and groups may seek support to help deliver the Government's strategic objectives in rural Scotland.
The former prevailing agri-environment scheme in Wales was Tir Gofal, which means literally 'Land Care'.
Following Britain leaving the European Union, and thus no longer being a part of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU, the British government initiated Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) in 2024.
[1][2] In some countries such as France, such schemes may be initiated by the central government: Switzerland started reforming its agricultural policies in 1993 and after a referendum in 1996, since 1998 the country has linked the attribution of farm subsidies with the strict observance of good environmental practice.
Before farmers can apply for subsidies, they must obtain certificates of environmental management systems (EMS) proving that they: “make a balanced use of fertilizers; use at least 7% of their farmland as ecological compensation areas; regularly rotate crops; adopt appropriate measures to protect animals and soil; make limited and targeted use of pesticides.”[3]