Important update from Scottish Government on Avian Influenza
An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) is in place across Scotland. On 12 November 2025, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Scotland, Sheila Voas, confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at a premises near Lanark, South Lanarkshire, the first case in Scotland this winter.
Food Standards Scotland advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products, including eggs. The advice for organic poultry keepers is the same as any other poultry keeper: please review your biosecurity measures and be vigilant.
Biosecurity guidance has been published by the Scottish Government, Defra (England), the Welsh Government and DAERA (Northern Ireland). Avian influenza is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect any type of avian influenza in poultry or other captive birds you must report it immediately by contacting your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. On 6th November 2025 England announced mandatory housing measures and on 13th November Wales will come under a full housing order as well.
Bird Flu & NHS vaccinations
NHS Scotland is now offering free flu vaccines this winter for those at risk of exposure to avian (bird) flu. You're eligible for a free vaccine if you: - work at or regularly visit poultry units and poultry processing units (including inspection staff). - Cull and/or clean at confirmed flu outbreak premises. - Are likely to handle live unwell birds where flu is suspected. - Are involved in the collection of wild or domestic bird carcasses where bird flu is suspected, including sea birds. While the vaccine doesn't protect against avian (bird) flu, it can lower the risk of a new flu virus forming if you're exposed to both human flu and bird flu at the same time.
To book an appointment visit Flu vaccine I NHS inform or call 0800 030 8013. You'll be able to book an appointment on a say, time and at a location convenient for you. All you need to do is identify yourself as a " poultry worker" on the booking portal, or to call the handler. On the booking portal you should select: Winter 2025 - Flu vaccine - aged 18 years and over.
EFA - Ecological Focus Area
There are new rules for EFA Greening which may affect some organic producers whose holdings are not 100% organic. Do you have over 15 hectares of arable land? If so, you will need to manage Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) in 2026.All farmers that trigger the new arable threshold for greening will be required to select from an expanded list of EFA interventions, up from 7 to 11, to satisfy their calculated obligations. Different options will have different beneficial impacts or increased management needs & options are weighted – a guide to which can be found on the Ecological Focus Areas section on the Rural Payments & Services webpage.
Further changes mean you do not need to submit a map detailing type, location and size of each EFA feature with your SAF, but you must retain an up to date copy of your EFA map (& accompanying notes) for your business for inspections. Your habitat/biodiversity map used for your WFP requirements can be added to for this purpose. Businesses that hold AECs contracts and find these obligations reduce their ability to deliver /meet their EFA requirements may apply to reduce one or more AECs commitments permanently to accommodate a broadly similar EFA requirement to the AECs option being reduced. Contact your local RPID office to discuss. This is not a SOPA requirement, we are just reminding you of the changes and it is your responsibility to comply with Scottish Government requirements.
Deadlines
Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme 2025
The claim submission window for scheme year 2025 opened on 1 January 2025 and, subject to the approval of the required legislative change by Scottish Parliament, the closing date for submitting 2025 claims will be extended from 31 December 2025 to 14 January 2026. All scheme eligibility rules remain the same so animals born on or after 2 December 2025 are not eligible until the 2026 scheme year. Claims for the 2026 scheme year can be submitted from 15 January 2026.Remember that to be eligible, calves must be the first offspring registered to the dam, or the registered offspring of cattle with an established calving interval of 410 days or less. See info on the scheme here. Calving intervals are now reported on ScotEid when calves are registered so the dates can be recorded from the ScotEid website.
Scottish Upland Sheep support scheme 2025
The 2025 Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS) application window is now open. This scheme provides additional support, on top of the Basic Payment Scheme, to sheep producers who farm in Scotland's rough grazing areas. Using ScotGov Rural Payments online service is the easiest and quickest way to apply. To do so, you must register with the Rural Payments and Services if you have not already done so. Applying online reduces the risk of entering eartags in the wrong format or claiming an animal twice.
Applications for the 2025 scheme must be submitted by midnight Sunday 30 November, note that local RPID area offices will be closed on Friday 28 November.
Soil sampling
In order to claim for soil sampling you now require a carbon audit. This is under the PSF fund which closes on 31/12/25. Vet costs can still be claimed. There are several carbon calculators that can be used, and we recommend researching which calculator suits your organic system best. You can claim support up to £1600 for a qualified FAS advisor to conduct your carbon audit. Don't forget you can take advantage of SOPA's discounted sampling service available through Lancrop Laboratories.
AECS 2026
We are pleased to have confirmation there will be an AECS round in 2026 and so we remind any SOPA Members in a Maintenance contract to check your contract dates. If your maintenance contract expires in 2026, you need to be applying for the next Maintenance agreement in the 2026 round. Organic Conversion applications will also open in the 2026 AECS round, so if you are considering entering new land to organic conversion or know of someone who is considering organic conversion, they should be laying foundations for the application now.
SOPA - Independent organic membership association, incorporated in 1988.
SOPA Member Services - Tel 0300 772 9795 Email: info@sopa.org.uk.
