The Scottish government’s announcement of a reduction in the calving interval conditionality for the Beef Calf Payment from 410 days to 400 days from 2028 was disappointing, but not surprising for The Institute of Auctioneers.

Neil Wilson, executive director of The Institute of Auctioneers, said: “When the changes to the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) were introduced back in 2024, this further reduction was always on the table.

“That is why The Institute of Auctioneers, alongside the Scottish and National Beef Associations, fought hard at that time to have the terms of any conditionality reviewed and ideally revoked.

“Our Briefing Report in December 2024 highlighted the numerous challenges that changes to the scheme would bring for all producers and in particular the bigger challenges faced by smaller producers.

Neil Wilson, executive director of The Institute of Auctioneers

placeholder image — Neil Wilson, executive director of The Institute of Auctioneers

“We also predicted that the introduction of the conditionality was the start of the slippery slope and it is very possible that Scottish government could continue to tighten the calving interval even further in coming years.”

He continued: “The opportunity to really push back on the calving interval condition was back in late 2024 when we should have demanded that government came forward with a more progressive scheme rather than taking a stick to the sector – a stick which has just got bigger.

“Unfortunately, some other organisations seemed happy to accept the requirement at that time, and not taking action then has cost us now. Whilst at the Institute we agree protecting the budget is critical for the beef sector, our industry should not be scared to be robust in defence of income streams that are important to suckler cow farmers across the country.

“A more helpful approach by Scottish government ministers and officials would be a much more collaborative and open relationship with all stakeholders, including them in discussions and keeping then fully informed. Suckler cow farmers need clearer guidance around what qualifies for force majeure and the evidence required.

“We are grateful that Scottish government did not take forward the Climate Change Committee’s flawed recommendations to reduce livestock numbers by 26%. It would have been staggering if they had accepted that. However, linking that decision to the calving interval conditionality is also unsound. Scottish government introduced this conditionality before the Climate Change Committee presented its views on the sector.”

Wilson concluded: “The Institute of Auctioneers now calls on government to be much more committed to its claim that it wants to see consolidation and growth in the beef sector rather than the contractions of the past 10 to 15 years.

“There have been a lot of warm words from ministers recently, and now we need to see some proactive action on livestock policy to realise the opportunity that the QMS Meating Our Potential project highlighted and has been supported by government.

“The Institute of Auctioneers stands ready to work with policy makers and other stakeholders to find positive and reward driven policies to support our top-class beef producers.”