Planned changes to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) which will force farmers to hit calving interval targets have been thrown into disarray as lobbying organisations and opposition MSPs launch a last-ditch attempt to stop legislation.

Following discussions at the Rural Affairs and Islands committee in Holyrood last week, opposition parties are joining the Scottish Beef Association, National Beef Association, and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland in a united call to stop additional requirements being added to the beef calf scheme.

Labour’s shadow rural minister Rhoda Grant MSP is opposing the changes and voted against the proposals in the committee voicing concerns on how small farmers and crofters could be affected.

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The Conservative shadow minister for rural affairs, Tim Eagle, said: “The beef calf scheme is vitally important to the beef sector in Scotland and the Scottish Conservatives’ fundamental position was to protect the funding.

“At committee last week, we sought assurances from the minister over potential impacts on small herds and crofters.

“Over the last few days, colleagues and I have held meetings with various farms and industry groups who are really concerned. We believe this decision needs to be paused and we will be calling for SNP ministers to do that.”

For the changes to the beef calf scheme to come into place Holyrood needs to vote a new statutory instrument through parliament.

“Since the SNP government lost the support of the Green party, there are no longer any guarantees that government legislation will be passed. The Rural Affairs and Islands committee did back the changes to the calf scheme last week in a vote six to one however a number of MSPs have now u-turned 'in light of new information'.

Neil Wilson, executive director of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, said: “Our stance has not changed. The new conditions of the beef calf scheme are not a positive step for the beef industry. Our members and auctioneers are getting a lot of negative feedback and they don’t like the look of what is coming down the line.

“We are not against change and there is an opportunity to implement a positive scheme using new budget, probably using the Bew money. We should make a proactive scheme which helps the beef sector to look, understand and manage down their emissions where possible with support in addition to the beef calf scheme.”

Neil Shand chief executive officer of the National Beef Association said: “Public clarification was gained last week at the rural affairs committee discussion on the SSBSS modifications in the Scottish Parliament than neither the budget nor the original scheme have ever been at risk, it is imperative that any additional conditionality is not applied as this will only accelerate the decline of the suckler herd in Scotland.

“Smaller herds in the highlands and island will simply disappear at a time when processing critical mass is below sustainable levels.”

Paul Ross, chair of the Scottish Beef Association said: “At a time when suckler cow numbers continue to decline even in a buoyant market, new schemes should not accelerate the decline.

“The new conditions will be most challenging on smaller units. This is highlighted in SRUC reports to government as was the loss in recent years of many smaller herds. Such herds underpin fragile rural economies and are a necessary part of improving biodiversity in sensitive environments

“Another report by SRUC states a 1.5% drop in emissions would be achieved if all cows missing the 410 day target were sold. We know a percentage of these cows won’t be replaced leading to lower numbers to sustain the processing industry.”

Meanwhile NFU Scotland are backing the changes to the scheme. Livestock Policy Manager Lisa Hislop said: “We are supportive of the Scottish Statutory Instrument: Rural Support (Improvement) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 as it secures the future of the SSBSS.

"While we recognise the challenges of this reform, we believe that it continues to provide a vital £40m of support directly to the suckler beef sector and we urge Scottish government to commit to maintaining the current level of funding for 2026 and beyond.

“We continue to underline the important role of Voluntary Coupled Support, particularly for livestock farmers and crofters. We welcomed the announcement in October from the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP that the calving interval will not change in 2026, and Scottish Government’s commitment to retaining SSBSS until 2028.”