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.

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  • In the news: Deposit Return Scheme

    2nd August 2019 by

    You may have seen in the Scotsman an opinion piece from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association regarding our proposal to include glass in our Deposit Return Scheme. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Last year’s public consultation signalled support for an ambitious deposit return scheme. We believe there is strong public support for including glass in that scheme and the wider benefits are clear, delivering increased recycling rates, reductions in carbon emissions and reductions in glass litter. “We are aware that some businesses have concerns about its inclusion. The Scottish Government is committed to working with them to implement the…

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  • 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.

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  • Challenging advice for fishermen expected

    28th June 2019 by

    Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing comments on the joint recommendations for landing obligations which will come into effect in 2020. Mr Ewing said: Fishermen across the country will be aware of the imminent publication of advice which could have a major bearing on what species they can catch, and in what quantities in the coming year....

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  • Fair Work key to new South of Scotland Enterprise agency

    5th June 2019 by

    Economy Ministers in the Scottish Government share a common aim – to deliver a more economic prosperity to more of Scotland’s people and communities through inclusive growth. Fair work sits at the heart of our approach. If, as I hope, the bill to create a South of Scotland enterprise agency passes this Wednesday, it will...

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  • This week: 12/04/19

    12th April 2019 by

    LFASS payments Hill farmers and crofters operating in some of our most remote and marginalised areas will benefit from the commencement of LFASS payments worth more than £24 million. Around 11,000 eligible farmers and crofters will receive payment in coming weeks, with many having already taken the opportunity to receive up to 90% of their...

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  • In the news – Severe weather impact

    11th April 2019 by

    You may have seen the WWF report on the Economic Impact of Extreme Weather on Scottish Agriculture in the papers today. The report suggests that Scottish farmers lost up to £161 million due to the Beast from the East last year.

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  • Women in the Rural Economy: Part 13

    11th March 2019 by

    When the place of birth on your birth certificate is recorded as The New Forest, it’s maybe a sign of what is to come. Claire Glaister, FICFor, forestry consultant, member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters’ Professional on what its like to work in the rural economy.

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  • Women in the Rural Economy: Part 12

    10th March 2019 by

    Sometimes the lure of the rural economy is too much. Rebecca Dawes, Director at the Rural Youth Project is the latest woman to provide an insight into the diverse and important role women play in Scotland's rural economy as part of our series of blogs to mark International Women's Day. I have a confession – ever since my early teens I have wanted to be Tom Cruise!! I want to sore through the skies in a fighter jet, doing twists and turns as he did in the film Top Gun. What I didn’t want to be was a women working…

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  • Women in the Rural Economy: Part 11

    8th March 2019 by

    As we continue to celebrate International Women's Day, LANTRA Scotland's Director Dr Liz Barron-Majerik blogs on her career and experience of Scotland's Rural Economy. A ‘princess-ballerina-firefighter-scientist’. That’s what my five-year-old wants to be when she grows up. When I was her age, I wanted to be “Long Distance Clara” from Pigeon Street, probably because she got to drive a lorry and wear trousers.

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