Rural and Environment

  • Food and drink funds open

    28th January 2022 by

    Food and drink wholesalers and producers affected by coronavirus restrictions can now apply for funding. Grants will be provided to businesses through the £15 million Scottish Wholesale Food & Drink Resilience Fund and the £2 million Scottish Food & Drink Producers Fund. Applications open today and close at 23:59 on Sunday 13 February. Rural Affairs...

    Read more

  • Lifting of Disease Control Zones

    21st January 2022 by

    Surveillance zones, which had been applied around three highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 infected premises in three locations in Dumfries and Galloway have been lifted. Scottish Ministers declared the lifting of the 10 km Surveillance Zones following the completion of preliminary cleansing and disinfection, and all mandatory surveillance requirements and investigations. However, the UK-wide...

    Read more

  • Vital support for remote rural areas underway

    20th January 2022 by

    Farmers and crofters in areas facing natural or other specific constraints will start to receive their share of more than £65 million shortly, with £47 million paid into bank accounts next week. Payment rates have also been restored to 100% ensuring that Scottish farmers will get an income boost at a challenging time of the...

    Read more

  • Extension of the Pig Producers’ Hardship Support Scheme

    10th January 2022 by

    Statement from Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon on the extension of the Pig Producers’ Hardship Support Scheme

    Read more

  • Scottish Nitrogen Balance Sheet

    16th December 2021 by

    Environment Minister Mairi McAllan blogs about a world-first introduction of legislation to help Scotland tackle climate change

    Read more

  • Climate Challenge Programme Malawi Virtual Visit

    8th November 2021 by

    Ahead of COP26, I was privileged to go on a Virtual Visit to the village of Mangamba, to meet with the amazing people who participated in Scottish Government funded Climate Challenge Programme Malawi (CCPM). On that day the people of Mangamba spoke with urgency about the climate crisis – relaying how climate change had already...

    Read more

  • Reviewing Scotland’s First Honey Bee Health Strategy

    18th October 2021 by

    A picture of Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon

    Honey bees are part of both our Scottish agricultural landscape and our environment. As well as the production of honey and bee hive products, they play a significant role in the pollination of food crops and wild flora.  As part of the environmental crisis, insect populations, including wild honey bees have been in decline across...

    Read more

  • Climate Week 2021 draws to a close

    19th September 2021 by

    Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson reflects on Scotland's Climate Week 2021

    Read more

  • New animal licensing regulations to come in to force

    30th August 2021 by

    Statement from Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon on animal licensing regulations to come in to force from 1st September

    Read more

  • Clean Air Day

    17th June 2021 by

    Short quote from Environment Minister welcoming Clean Air Day 2021.

    Read more