Agreement for better nature and more secure food in Scotland

19 June 2026

New agreement to help nature recover with secure, climate-resilient farming in Scotland

A diverse group have joined forces to improve food security by strengthening the link between nature and sustainable farming in Scotland.

NatureScot Chair Colin Galbraith unveiled the agreement at the Royal Highland Show today (19 June), which has been signed by NatureScot, Scottish Environment LINK, Scottish Land and Estates, NFU Scotland, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and the Scottish Food Commission, championing a shared vision for nature and food. 

With the increasing effects of climate change on Scotland’s food supply, including extreme weather and soil quality, the agreement focuses on the urgent need for natural ecosystems to be strong and healthy to support food production and food security. Several research studies, including the UK Government’s National Security Assessment published in February, have found a strong link between healthy nature and healthy food production. The assessment also found the UK would be unlikely to be able to maintain food security if ecosystem collapse were to drive geopolitical competition for food. 

The shared vision – agreed following a series of roundtable discussions - calls for urgent discussions and a renewed partnership with farmers across Scotland. These talks are vital to understand the risks, benefits and changes needed to transform evidence into effective policy and investment decisions. 

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs Gillian Martin said: 

“The Agricultural Reform Programme (ARP) will deliver our Vision for Agriculture better by transforming agricultural support to promote sustainable and regenerative farming. This agreement recognises the complex and deeply interconnected challenges facing food production and profitability, nature loss, climate change, water pressures and public health. 

“It reflects a growing urgency to strengthen food security and resilience, while also recognising that sustainable food production depends on healthy, functioning natural systems as we all work towards a goal of supporting farmers to produce food sustainably while doing more to protect climate and nature.”

NatureScot Chair, Colin Galbraith, said:

“We are in the middle of a nature and climate emergency. This unprecedented agreement sets out an essential vision for food and nature in Scotland. It stresses that if we are to secure long term, high quality and profitable food production in Scotland, we need resilient, healthy ecosystems. We have identified priority actions to develop solutions that will benefit our world class food sector, nature, and the people of Scotland.”

Eleanor Kay, Scottish Land & Estates Senior Policy Adviser for Agriculture and Climate Change, said:

“Building consensus on our approach to delivering food security in Scotland whilst supporting climate mitigation and nature recovery is a great step forward. It is hugely important that differing interests can come together to build common ground on this issue and above all ensure that the voices of those who live and work in rural communities are given priority.

“It is the people on the ground, farming and managing our land for people, jobs and nature who will deliver on our shared priorities. They understand the importance of practical, well-managed and multi-functional land use that balances food production, nature restoration, climate objectives and the long-term resilience of rural businesses and communities. It is in their interests that government and industry stakeholders should come together to get behind them and do what we can to enable them to continue delivering across these shared priorities. That is what this agreement is all about and SLE is proud to be a part of it.”

Scottish Environmental LINK Chief Officer, Deborah Long, said:

“There is no food security without a stable climate and healthy natural environment. We all need healthy ecosystems and restored nature to underpin food production on land and at sea. It’s vital that we work together to achieve the transformation needed to ensure that everyone can enjoy healthy food produced in thriving land and seascapes, now and in the future. This statement is an important step on our journey to do that.”

Nature Friendly Farming Network Scotland Chair, Denise Walton, added:

“This Roundtable agreement is at the forefront of critical change for Scotland's food and farming environment. It demonstrates what can be achieved through open discussion and commitment to the greater good of our communities and nature on which we inextricably depend.”

The full agreement is available on the Food and nature page.