Rural and Environment

This week: 15/02/19

February 15, 2019 by charlottebarbour No Comments | Category Climate Change, Environment, Marine

Biodiversity Challenge Fund

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announces a £2 million Biodiversity Challenge Fund. Funding will be used to create new habitats, and improve existing ones, safeguarding our native species and encouraging more access to nature.

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Rural Economy Action Group

A new group tasked with bringing the rural economy to the forefront of policy making has been announced.

The new Rural Economy Action Group will guide how Scottish Ministers drive forward recommendations of a recent report by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA).

These recommendations include ensuring rural policy is embedded in all decision making and ensuring national economic plans and industry-led strategies are joined up and promote the rural economy.

Announcing the chair of the Group Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“As we edge ever closer to leaving the EU at the end of March and the risk of leaving with no deal in place growing, there has never been a more important time to ensure that our rural economy is mainstreamed into everything we do.

“That is why, having listened to the National Council of Rural Advisers, I am delighted to announce that Carol Tannahill has agreed to chair the new Rural Economy Action Group, which will immediately seek to guide how Scottish Ministers drive forward the Council’s recommendations to grow a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rural economy.

“Scotland’s rural economy is bursting with talent and potential. By ensuring effective mainstreaming of rural policy into all of our policy thinking and delivery, I am determined to ensure that our rural economy becomes the driving force behind, not just our national brand, but also our national prosperity.”

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Consultation launched

Roseanna Cunningham has launched a consultation on a new five-year plan that will ensure Scotland’s communities, economy and natural environment are adaptable and resilient to climate.

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Whisky exports

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing welcomed another record year for Scotch Whisky exports, which grew by 7.8% in 2018, to a total value of £4.7 billion.

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Brexit farm compensation

The UK Government must compensate farmers and crofters in the event of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has said.

A wealth of evidence now indicates that Scotland’s farmers would be worse off under every scenario when compared to the current trade arrangements, with some or all producers facing lower returns.

Sheep farmers are particularly at risk, with UK sheepmeat exports worth £390 million each year, and with nearly 90% of this destined for the European market, the prospect of tariffs as high as 45-50% being imposed on these exports would be devastating.

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Vessel tracking devices

Scotland’s scallop fishing fleet volunteer to have tracking and monitoring devices installed on their vessels. We’re giving £1.5 million to help support fisheries management.

Community ownership project funding

Roseanna Cunningham announced £700,000 for community ownership projects across Scotland, which included £68,000 to enable Raasay Development Trust to purchase 2 acres of land in Village of Inverarish to develop 4 community-owned homes.

Tags: climatechange, communityownership, exports, fisheries, vesseltracking, whiskyexports

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