Quality Meat Scotland and AHDB present pioneering Environmental Baselining Pilot at AgriScot 2024

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) are to set out their groundbreaking Environmental Baselining Pilot at AgriScot 2024. This significant seminar will take place on Wednesday 13 November, from 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm in Seminar Room 1 at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh. Attendees are encouraged to attend to learn more about this innovative project and hear from participating farms.

As an industry-first initiative, the Environmental Baselining Pilot aims to measure the positive environmental impact of Scottish farms and those across the UK. By collecting essential data on greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, water runoff and carbon storage, this pilot will provide farmers with valuable insights to better understand the integrity and value of their individual environmental efforts.

Bruce McConachie, Head of Industry Development at QMS, commented: “Our Environmental Baselining Pilot will collaborate with the scientific community and producers to enhance our understanding of how farms can deliver environmental benefits alongside productive and profitable operations. We are excited to showcase some of the farms involved and discuss the implications for the future of Scottish agriculture.”

The seminar will feature a panel of experts, including Bruce McConachie from QMS, farmers involved in the pilot, and Delyth Lewis-Jones, AHDB Head of Environment. Attendees can expect an in-depth discussion about the pilot’s components, objectives, and participating farms.

Delyth added: “This pilot promises more than just empowering individual farmers with their own unique data. It also offers the whole industry the opportunity to demonstrate how it delivers both food and environmental goods, the scale and potential of natural carbon stocks and the industry’s position and progress to net zero. With the goal to inform a more informed debate about UK agriculture and its role in National environmental sustainability.”

In addition to the seminar, QMS invites attendees to visit them during AgriScot at stand 84, Highland Hall for further discussions on innovative projects, including the Lamb for St Andrew’s Day Campaign and the Monitor Farm Programme. Visitors can also look forward to an interactive beef demonstration on Calving at Two Years, scheduled for 11:30 am to 12:00 pm in the main ring.

For more information about AgriScot, please visit agriscot.co.uk.