Delineation of LFA/ANC land in Scotland progress December 2015 Willie Towers and David Donnelly Method of delineation - Recap Define Agricultural area (previously UAA) Revised since 2005 and new area identified Assemble biophysical datasets and apply Commission criteria thresholds to each 0nly to agricultural area If one threshold is met, that area of agricultural land is assigned to ANC If 60% or more of the area of agricultural land in a parish is constrained, whole parish is ANC Various fine-tuning options are available to fine tune the ANC area to achieve a more appropriate outcome. The EU Criteria Low temperature Length of growing period Accumulated temperature Heat Stress Drainage Soil Texture and Stoniness Rooting depth Chemical Properties Soil Moisture Balance Slope All with specific thresholds to be applied consistently across Europe to identify Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) After testing across Europe, additional criteria were introduced; soil pH (