Rural and Environment

This week: 05/04/19

April 5, 2019 by charlottebarbour No Comments | Category Environment, food and drink

Littering from vehicles

Tougher action on littering from vehicles is to be introduced as part of a future Circular Economy Bill, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has announced.

With 1,300 bags – nearly 7 tonnes – of rubbish gathered from the sides of the M8 and M9 alone each month, action will be taken as soon as possible under the National Litter Strategy.

Read more about littering from vehicles.

SSBSS

In line with the payment schedule, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing confirms that 2018 Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme payments will begin shortly.

Read more about SSBSS payments

Deposit Return Scheme

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham visited Highland Spring to announce that industry expertise and advice on the implementation of a Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland is to be sought

Read more about the deposit return scheme

IPCC conference

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham spoke to 200 climate change experts to mark the start of a week-long Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change conference, hosted in Scotland.

The conference launched the IPCC’s work on their Sixth Assessment Report, due for publication in 2021.

Climate Change Bill Stage 1 debate

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham led the Climate Change Bill stage 1 debate in parliament, reasserting that the Bill maintains and strengthens Scotland’s place as a world-leader in tackling one of the defining global challenges of our time.

Vertical farm

Commenting on the award of first phase research into reducing Scotland’s emissions from nitrogen fertiliser, Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said:

“We want farmers to move towards a more profitable, low carbon future, which adapts to the changing environment and contributes to our climate change ambitions while securing business viability for future generations. That is why I am establishing research into the feasibility of reducing Scotland’s emissions from nitrogen fertiliser.

“Nitrogen is a key component for our crops and ensuring that they have access to the nutrients they need is crucial to the sustainability of our food production. However, when applied in an inefficient manner, it can serve as a source of pollution, through either greenhouse gas emissions or impacts on air and water quality.”

Speaking while visiting the Intelligent Growth Solutions facility at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, Ms Gougeon added:

“Recognising this, we have targeted Nitrogen Use Efficiency within our Climate Change Plan and have already committed to continuing to provide advice, information and technical assistance through the likes of the Farm Advisory Service, the Soil Nutrient Network and Farming and Water Scotland. I hope that this new research will help to further develop our knowledge and understanding of nitrogen fertilisers to enable us to better support our plant and natural environment.”

Tags: depsoitreturnscheme, environment

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