Climate change could be good news for Scottish farmers. Rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels could mean increased yields and a boost to local economies. These findings result from an analysis of projected changes in Scotland's weather on land use, regional economies and biodiversity.
"We were quite surprised to find that global warming is not necessarily a bad thing", says researcher Professor Nick Hanley. Rising temperatures will permit farmers to grow more productive, faster developing crops and increase the intensity of livestock farming. The extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will reduce the need for artificial fertilisers and this will offset any negative economic effects of climate change.
Despite the predicted benefits of climate change, the prosperity of Scottish farmers will depend more on the extent to which the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is reformed. Despite rising yields, prices will depend on changes in the marketplace rather than the weather.