In this episode we speak to Celine Delabre from NatureScot to inform listeners on the upcoming requirement to complete biodiversity audits as part of the Whole Farm Plan and how NatureScot’s farm biodiversity app can help to deliver these in the future. We discuss the important details that farmers requiring the audit need to know to help them complete it and find out more about the NatureScot app. 

From 2025 a Whole Farm Plan will be a mandatory condition for accessing future funding. This will involve all farmers and crofters undertaking a number of audits and plans relevant to their agricultural activities. By 15 May 2025 farmers are being asked to prepare for the Whole Farm Plan by undertaking at least two baseline plans or audits including a carbon audit, soil analysis, an animal health and welfare plan, an integrated pest management plan and a biodiversity audit. 

Host Harry Fisher, Producer Iain Boyd, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, Editor Kieron Sim.

Timestamps: 

0:50 – 5:23 Intro to Whole Farm Plan and biodiversity audits 

5:23 – 10:00 NatureScot biodiversity audit and ways to complete them 

10:00 – 24:55 Story of the app being developed, data it uses and how it works 

24:55 – end What NatureScot is learning from the audit, future plans and advice

Related FAS Resources

Natural Capital | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Preparing For The Future Whole Farm Plan | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Preparing For The Future Biodiversity Audits | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)

Other Related Resources  

Biodiversity Audit | NatureScot

Whole Farm Plan (ruralpayments.org)