Rural and Environment

  • Bew review results delayed

    30th August 2019 by

    Commenting on the apparent delay to the publication of Lord Bew’s recommendations into intra-governmental Common Agricultural Policy funding allocations, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland’s farmers deserve to know the outcome of Lord Bew’s review. The recommendations should not be left to gather dust on a shelf in Whitehall while farmers face the most challenging environment for a generation as a result of an impending no deal Brexit.

    Read more

  • This week: Clean energy, South of Scotland funding and Crown Estate consultation

    30th August 2019 by

    £1 million funding for South of Scotland Enterprise Projects to develop rural skills, community enterprises and female-led businesses are the latest recipients of more than £1 million from the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP). The Partnership has awarded a total of £1,045,184 to five projects, including an initiative to improve Galashiels Town Centre and...

    Read more

  • Tackling biosecurity in agriculture

    6th August 2019 by

    Policy Officer Ian Murdoch on the importance of biosecurity in agriculture and what can be done to reduce the risk of diseases being spread.   You might not think an agricultural show and a hospital have much in common. Everyone will be familiar with the good hygiene rules when walking into a hospital. Not so...

    Read more

  • In the news: Scottish Agriculture

    31st July 2019 by

    The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee has published a report into the future of Scottish agriculture, which is running widely in the media today. The Committee argues that Brexit presents an opportunity to address failings in the agriculture funding formula, which has led to Scottish farms and crofts receiving low levels of funding.

    Read more

  • In the news: landing obligations

    16th July 2019 by

    You may have seen in the news and online reports relating to a House of Lords inquiry that found fishermen are continuing to illegally discard dead fish back into the sea.

    Read more

  • This week: 05/07/19

    5th July 2019 by

    Aquaculture innovation funding Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced £743,000 for aquaculture innovation projects. Rural support payments Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced that the Scottish Government has met the EU payment threshold of at least 95.24% for all 5 CAP Pillar 1 schemes being paid by the deadline of 30th June 2019.  More than...

    Read more

  • This week: 31/5/19

    31st May 2019 by

    Attracting new entrant farmers More public sector land has been released to people who want to become farmers, following a Scottish Government scheme. Around 6,400 hectares of land has been made available from public bodies such as Forestry and Land Scotland, Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Water, Highland and Islands Enterprise, East Lothian and Highland Councils....

    Read more

  • This week: 24/5/19

    23rd May 2019 by

    Croft Housing Grant Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced £350,000 under the Croft Housing Grant award to support crofters in remote areas. Oyster Restoration Alliance conference Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon spoke at the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance conference in Edinburgh this week. Delegates from 15 European countries met to develop a blueprint for reef...

    Read more

  • This week: 17/05/19

    17th May 2019 by

    Supporting Scotland’s produce Funding has been granted to initiatives across Scotland to help celebrate Scotland’s regional food and drink industries. A total of 23 projects will share £104,500 awarded via the Connect Local Regional Food Fund. Grant recipients include the Annan Harbour Festival, the Glenkens Food Month, and the Skye Food and Drink Festival. Commenting...

    Read more

  • This week: 03/05/19

    3rd May 2019 by

    New Climate Change proposals Scotland will go greener, faster under new, tougher climate change proposals. The Scottish Government has lodged amendments to the Climate Change Bill to set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest. Read more on the latest climate change proposals  South of Scotland Economic Partnership...

    Read more