The report of the Scottish government’s Agriculture and Climate Change Stakeholder Group published on May 16 calls for greater awareness of the need for action on climate change by Scotland’s growers and farmers.

In further recommendations it urges better communication on how the sector can adapt to and help mitigate climate change and also calls for closer policy integration on land use and improved reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.

Scots environment minister Michael Russell also highlighted a number of opportunities that combating climate change presented to Scottish farmers. "There is no doubt that in recent years awareness of the serious threat climate change poses has increased significantly,” he said. "We are committed to taking action to reduce emissions and to help Scotland adapt to their impacts.

"Climate change brings opportunities as well as threats to the agriculture sector, who have a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions.

"I want this report to be a platform for action and we will be using next month's Royal Highland Show to work with the sector on how we can mitigate the effects of climate change."

But the National Famers’ Union of Scotland has warned that cutting food production will not cure climate change and emphasised the union’s belief that farming is uniquely placed to tackle climate change. NFU Scotland’s head of rural policy, Jonnie Hall, who sat on the Stakeholder Group said: “Scottish agriculture is well placed to adapt to climate change and already provides means of reducing carbon emissions. With the issue of global food security now high on the political agenda it is crucial that any policy changes do not curtail farmers’ and growers’ ability to produce food as well.

“Demanding that Scottish farming reduce its emissions by cutting production would simply export the climate change issue as food would still have to be produced and brought in from elsewhere; it would also be catastrophic for Scotland’s rural economy and environment.

“What is important is that Scottish farming adapts to climate change via a policy framework that allows individual farmers to seek out strategies that are in the interests of their businesses, the rural economy and tackling climate change. It is also important that any resulting policy be based on the best scientific evidence available.”