European Rural Development Plan for Scotland

Rural areas account for 98% of land mass and 19% of population.
Primary sector accounts for 11% of employment.
Agricultural land covers 80% of Scottish territory but harsh climate, poor soils and mountainous terrain limits land use. 85% classified LFA and most is rough grazing. Only 10% of the UAA is used for crops, fallow and set-aside.
Average farm size 101 ha. However, 39% of holdings are less than 5 ha, particularly in the North and West where the "crofting" system is important.
Forest covers 17.1% of Scotland, a substantial proportion of which is under state ownership.
2.2% of the total workforce in Scotland (5% of the rural workforce) is employed in agriculture.
1.2% of the total workforce is employed in food manufacturing.
Tourism plays an important role in the Scottish rural economy.
Chosen strategy corresponding to the profile

Support business viability, add value to the rural economy and facilitate increased market orientation.
Support a coherent and integrated approach to meet environmental objectives.
Encourage private enterprise and entrepreneurship, improve services and infrastructure at local level& support Scotland's cultural opportunities.
Support capacity building and innovation.
Overall budget and share of EU funding

A financial aid of € 2,133.3 million of which € 676.3 million is EU financed, including € 317 million from voluntary modulation (47%), has been allocated to the Rural Development Programme for Scotland for the period 2007- 2013.

Source: By European Union