The James Hutton Institute
This page is no longer updated. The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute joined forces with SCRI on 1 April 2011 to create The James Hutton Institute.
THE STATE OF SCOTLAND'S FARMED ENVIRONMENT 2005
22. RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME
The Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS), introduced in 2001, is currently the main agri-environment scheme in Scotland and its design draws extensively on experience gained from previous schemes such as the ESAs and CPS. Participants in the ESA have a guaranteed entry into the RSS when their existing ESA agreements come to an end. The RSS applies across the whole of Scotland and was planned to deliver clearly defined environmental gain in a cost-effective way.
Aims
The RSS aims to encourage farmers, crofters and common grazing committees to adopt environmentally friendly practices and to maintain and enhance particular habitats and landscape features. The main thrust of the scheme is to 'maintain and enhance existing habitats and biodiversity' (see list below) and, for some habitats, to create new areas. The RSS is also expected to contribute to the achievement of a wide range of rural policy objectives e.g. contributing to farm income, providing employment opportunities for contractors, and supporting the retention or development of rural skills.
Rural Stewardship Scheme - implementation >>