Rural and Environment

  • 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....

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  • 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...

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  • Farming and the climate emergency

    21st May 2019 by

    Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon blogs on farming and the global climate emergency. The First Minister has declared a global climate emergency. The evidence is irrefutable and the science is compelling. People are clear, they expect action and the world needs to act now, not least for future generations. We are leading this response. This was made clear when we acted immediately to the advice of the Committee on Climate Change by lodging amendments to our Climate Change Bill to set a 2045 target for net zero emissions. Just last week another warning was issued about the damage humans are…

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  • 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...

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  • 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...

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  • Listening to and acting on the scientific evidence

    1st May 2019 by

    By Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham The Scottish Government has declared a climate emergency. In recent weeks, the next generation has expressed, in growing numbers and with eloquence, sincerity and passion, their heartfelt concern for the planet they will inherit. Just last week, teenage activist Greta Thunberg accused the UK Government of not listening to...

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  • This week: 22/03/19

    22nd March 2019 by

    Pinney’s The Pinney’s factory in Annan is set to reopen in Autumn with a new owner, thanks in part to a £1.7 million Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise.   Read more about Pinney’s Climate Change report Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham talked about the importance of climate change adaptation and how this week’s...

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  • Informing our climate change adaptation plans

    19th March 2019 by

    By Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham You may well have seen in the news that severe flooding in the south of Malawi – followed by the arrival of Cyclone Idai, which has also caused devastation across Mozambique and Zimbabwe – has affected over a million people, sadly resulting in loss of life and many tens...

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  • In the news: climate change strikes

    15th March 2019 by

    You may have seen in the news today that young people from around the world are taking part in climate change strikes to raise awareness of the threat of climate change, and urge world leaders to take action. Later this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will meet with a group of young people from across...

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  • This week: 08/03/19

    8th March 2019 by

    Women in the Rural Economy In the run up to International Women’s Day, the Scottish Government posted a series of blogs looking at the important and diverse role women play in driving and supporting Scotland’s rural economy. The series ended with a post from Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon, on her experience as a woman...

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