Scotland Archives - Agricultural and Rural Convention

European Rural Parliament 2025 — Redefining Rurality in the Scottish Highlands

October 31, 2025 Theona Morrison

On October 20-23, over 400 rural delegates from over 40 European countries gathered in Inverurie in the north-east of Scotland for the 6th European Rural Parliament (ERP). It isn’t that communities lack capacity for change; they lack the support to deliver. This is the message behind the Inverurie Declaration, a call for systemic change from the delegates that asks not for help but for partnership from European, national and regional authorities. Theona L Morrison, Chair of Scottish Rural Action, shares her reflections on the 6th ERP. […]

European Rural Parliament 2025 — Rural Community Solutions to Global Challenges

September 8, 2025 ARC

This October 20-23, over 400 rural delegates from across Europe will gather in the north-east of Scotland for the 6th European Rural Parliament (ERP), a participative democratic assembly that shines a spotlight on the power of rural communities to respond to global crises. With the theme “Strength from Opportunity: Rural Community Solutions to Global Challenges”, this year’s ERP will highlight how rural and island people, places, and practices not only bear the brunt of climate, demographic, and political shifts but also offer transformative responses rooted in solidarity, sustainability, and place-based knowledge. […]

Reviewing Ecological Focus Areas: A Cross Pollination of Ideas

March 8, 2020 ARC

Insect pollinators continue to decline across Europe despite the Common Agricultural Policy’s increased focus on environmental protection. In response, a group of experts are calling for the improved quality of wildlife habitats through more targeted management and a robust monitoring framework, and a diversity of habitats to meet the resource requirements of our pollinating insects. […]

Scotland | Organic Farming, Agroforestry Best for Emissions Reductions

February 6, 2020 Oliver Moore

Researchers studied 37 different measures to help Scottish Agriculture reduce its carbon footprint. Here’s what they found. […]

Rural Dialogues | Transition Presents an Unprecedented Opportunity for Rural Revival

May 15, 2019 Eamon O' Hara

After ignoring the warnings of scientists for years, it seems society is finally starting to wake up to the fact that a deep transition to a low carbon society is necessary. What will this mean for rural areas and community initiatives? And what’s already happening in these places? Eamon O Hara of ECOLISE tells us more. […]

Scotland | how to create a real Good Food Nation

April 25, 2016 ARC

With the political parties releasing their manifestos, Nourish Scotland tell us what is really needed to make Scotland a Good Food Nation. Hint – its about more than legislation! […]

A New Citizens’ CAP say Nourish Scotland

October 22, 2015 Oliver Moore

We need a new deal – a new citizen focused CAP. Guest post by Pete Richie of Nourish Scotland. […]

Scotland Wales & Northern Ireland all ban GM Crops – but not England

October 10, 2015 Peter Crosskey

Most EU countries and regions have now declared their intention to not grow GM crops. In the UK, this means everywhere – except England, as Peter Crosskey reports. […]

Nourish Scotland Conference explores a Citizens’ Agricultural Policy

September 15, 2015 Oliver Moore

What would people–centred food governance look like? This is the crucial question to be addressed in Edinburgh, Scotland 22-23rd October. BOOK NOW Nourish Scotland, in cooperation with ARC2020, will host “Towards a Citizens’ Agricultural Policy” an event which will gather citizens, farmers, civil society, and representatives from regions and cities to rethink the governance of food and farming policies in Europe and Scotland. According to Nourish Scotland “our food system is failing to support a healthy, well-nourished population, while driving dangerous climate change and destroying natural capital. The Common Agricultural Policy is a colossal public policy intervention, using 39% of the EU budget and shaping the farming policies of Member States. It could drive improvement in public health, rural economies, and sustainable food and farming; but it doesn’t. And it won’t until our food system is governed democratically for the common good.” Confirmed speakers Alyn Smith is a Scottish Member of the European Parliament & Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. David Barnes is Chief Agricultural Officer for Scotland. Nora McKeon is […]