Rural and Environment

  • 29th June 2018 by

    Proposals for an Environment Strategy is an opportunity to establish us as a country that is leading global cation to address environmental challenges, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham writes.

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  • Stability, certainty and simplicity in rural support

    22nd June 2018 by

    “No change is not an option.” However unpalatable that may be to some in rural Scotland, that was one of the conclusions of the Agriculture Champions and a premises echoed by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA) recent report. Change is therefore inevitable and we must now decide how radical we wish to be, and importantly, how fast we wish to change. I believe our rural businesses and communities deserve a semblance of security and this consultation sets out options to try and achieve this.

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  • Importance of in-market specialists to Scotland’s Food and Drink

    13th June 2018 by

    Ahead of today’s Food & Drink Global Market Insights event in Falkirk, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing outlines the importance of in-market specialists to Scotland’s food and drink industry. “Scotland is blessed with a Natural Larder that is renowned and valued all over the world. We are a Land of Food and Drink, with a...

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  • Next steps on environmental governance

    1st June 2018 by

    Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham comments on the Roundtable on Climate Change and the Environment's environmental governance post Brexit report.

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  • Action on single-use items

    30th May 2018 by

    The Scottish Government is removing single-use coffee cups from its main buildings from SG. Find out more from Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham

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  • GDPR  – a change to data protection law

    24th May 2018 by

    The General Data Protection Regulations comes into force on May 25, 2018, giving individuals more control over their personal data, and ensuring that organisations collect and process that information properly and securely. To find out more about GDPR, visit the Information Commissioner’s website.

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  • Europe Day – Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing

    9th May 2018 by

    Across Europe today, thousands of people are taking part in visits, debates, concerts and other events to mark the annual Europe Day. It’s a celebration of the European Union, at a time when there is more focus on our relationship with that union than any time, since the UK joined in 1973. And of course,...

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  • Support for farmers following severe weather

    26th April 2018 by

    I’ve seen first-hand the significant impact that the prolonged wet and severe weather has been having on farmers and crofters, resulting in higher numbers of dead animals, and acute shortages in feed and fodder in some parts of the country. There’s a lot that the Scottish Government is already doing to help farmers and crofters cope with the adverse weather conditions. This includes paying millions into the rural economy through our LFASS and BPS loan schemes to help alleviate potential cash flow problems. However, there is more we can do to help

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  • Crofting update

    12th April 2018 by

    This government is determined not to allow crofting to be simply a relic of our past: crofting must have a purpose and a role in our present and our future. That purpose is to support people to remain on the land and to bring people back to the land, with crofting also playing a role in creating a sustainable and productive environment in which people can live and work. To achieve this, crofting needs an effective regulatory and statutory framework.

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  • Landmark day for Scotland’s forestry

    21st March 2018 by

    Yesterday I was proud to welcome the passing of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill. This landmark legislation completes the devolution of forestry to Scotland, a process that started nearly 20 years ago. I am proud to have been the Cabinet Secretary responsible for introducing this historic bill, the first forestry legislation since the...

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