Diaego Launch Scotch Whisky Regenerative Agriculture Programme

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of a Scotch whisky regenerative agriculture programme in Scotland by Diageo; understands that the programme will be run for three years, will involve 20 farms across Scotland, and will focus on reducing carbon emissions from growing barley and wheat; welcomes the involvement of a number of Scotland-based research and consulting firms, including SAC Consulting, Scottish Agronomy, James Hutton Limited and Agricarbon; further welcomes the aims of the programme to develop good quality barley and wheat in Scotland in a way that ensures good quality crops, while also benefitting soil health, climate, water and nature; notes that Scotland’s whisky industry exports were worth £6.2 billion in 2022; believes that it is vital that Scotland’s agriculture industry is supported to innovate to strengthen food security and to meet its climate goals, and wishes all involved well.