Rural and Environment

  • Winter is coming

    9th November 2018 by

    By Ian Davidson, Head of Agriculture Policy Division    Farming can be a rewarding profession – but there can be no doubt it poses a unique set of challenges. Over the past year, a wet winter followed by a cold spring and then the long, dry summer has meant farmers have faced many challenges including...

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  • Programme for Government 2018/19: Rural commitments

    15th October 2018 by

    We’ve recently seen the unveiling of this year’s Programme for Government, outlining our commitment to making this bolder, more ambitious vision of Scotland’s future a reality. Over the coming year, I’ll be focusing my attention on carrying out the following commitments to support the sectors which make up one of Scotland’s key priority areas –...

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  • Environmental news round-up

    19th September 2018 by

    It’s been a busy past few weeks for Scotland’s environmental and rural agenda. A number of events, visits and strategies have been taking place in a combined effort to address animal welfare, climate change and environmental damage in Scotland. Further efforts to grow Scotland’s venison sector have also been introduced. Here is our round up...

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  • Another busy Summer recess

    3rd September 2018 by

    Summer recess provides a welcome opportunity to get out and about in Scotland, attending shows from the Highlands to the South West, visiting communities and businesses and hearing first-hand how things are in our rural economy. Every conversation I have, I am struck by the creativity and resilience farmers, crofters and food producers have shown in responding to the challenges this year’s weather have brought. I am truly impressed with the way that people and communities have pulled together to tackle problems and help each other out.

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  • Stability, certainty and simplicity in rural support

    22nd June 2018 by

    “No change is not an option.” However unpalatable that may be to some in rural Scotland, that was one of the conclusions of the Agriculture Champions and a premises echoed by the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA) recent report. Change is therefore inevitable and we must now decide how radical we wish to be, and importantly, how fast we wish to change. I believe our rural businesses and communities deserve a semblance of security and this consultation sets out options to try and achieve this.

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  • Europe Day – Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing

    9th May 2018 by

    Across Europe today, thousands of people are taking part in visits, debates, concerts and other events to mark the annual Europe Day. It’s a celebration of the European Union, at a time when there is more focus on our relationship with that union than any time, since the UK joined in 1973. And of course,...

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  • Support for farmers following severe weather

    26th April 2018 by

    I’ve seen first-hand the significant impact that the prolonged wet and severe weather has been having on farmers and crofters, resulting in higher numbers of dead animals, and acute shortages in feed and fodder in some parts of the country. There’s a lot that the Scottish Government is already doing to help farmers and crofters cope with the adverse weather conditions. This includes paying millions into the rural economy through our LFASS and BPS loan schemes to help alleviate potential cash flow problems. However, there is more we can do to help

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