Industry leaders gathered in the Scottish Parliament to participate in the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee last week, when representatives of the five farmer-led climate change groups formed the first panel to discuss future agriculture policy.

Deputy Convener Beatrice Wishart highlighted that agriculture was the third largest source of emissions in 2020 and asked panel members to indicate the key areas of emissions reduction and mitigation measures that can be taken in each agricultural sector.

Andy McGowan, of the Scottish Pig Industry Leadership Group, responded: “We have reduced our global warming potential by just under 40% in the past 20 years. It is also worth noting that the sector is very market led and less than 2% of the emissions reductions have been as a result of government policies.”

Dairy sector representative, Jackie McCreery, told the committee that enteric fermentation and manure management were the main areas the sector could look at to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Andrew Moir, from the arable group, pointed out that 60% of carbon dioxide emissions from arable farming related to nitrous oxide derived from fertiliser and soil management and the group had 43 ways of mitigating the effects of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions and figures are reducing, with more work underway.

Jim Walker, representing the suckler beef group, said things had changed since 2020 and the first mitigation 'is the one that Scottish Government officials have favoured from day one, which is a significant reduction in the number of animals.' He added that this would take 'no account of the socio-economic impact that it would have.'

The hill, upland and crofting group's Claire Simonetta said targeted livestock grazing could make a huge contribution to the climate solution if animals grazed fragile and important habitats, which could help to maintain carbon stores already in the ground.