Rural and Environment

  • In the news: UK waste strategy

    18th December 2018 by

    You will no doubt have seen that many news outlets are running the a story this morning that the UK Government has published its Resources and Waste Strategy, which places more responsibility on manufacturers and producers to pay recycling and disposal costs.

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  • “Tariff-free trade only viable option for Scottish seafood” – Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing

    10th December 2018 by

    “As the deadline to Brexit ‘D-day’ approaches, we’re gradually beginning to get a clearer picture on what the various scenarios could mean for Scottish industry. “Some of those arguing the case for leaving the European Union have been keen to reassure UK business that the inevitable downturn or loss in trade to the European market...

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  • Ivan McKee: Steps towards Carbon Neutrality

    10th December 2018 by

    We all know the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change – that has been clear for a while now. What is becoming increasingly apparent is the extent to which this offers an economic opportunity for Scotland. Being at the forefront of the global transition to carbon-neutrality means...

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  • In the media: staying in the Highlands and Islands

    4th December 2018 by

    This morning Highlands and Islands Enterprise published a report that found efforts to attract and retain young people in the Highlands and Islands may be working. The survey found that increasing numbers of young people want to live and work in the Highlands and Islands, with the proportion of committed stayers increasing to 46%, from 36% in 2015.

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  • In the news: REC Committee report on salmon farming

    27th November 2018 by

    On Tue 27 Nov the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee published its report on Salmon Farming in Scotland Here’s what Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing had to say about it: “While we will carefully consider the committee’s recommendations, a number of sustainability issues identified in its report are already being addressed through the...

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  • In the news: £1.3 million commitment to aquaculture

    14th November 2018 by

    £48 million freshwater hatchery opened near Oban Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes was in the news today as she visited Barcaldine to officially open Scottish Sea Farms’ (SFF) new £48 million freshwater hatchery – which is intended to be a centre of excellence for fish farming. The Scottish Government, through it’s enterprise agency Scottish Enterprise,...

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  • Coverage on UK Agriculture Bill

    13th November 2018 by

    Today, various media outlets are running a piece calling on the Scottish and UK Government’s to break the “current political log-jam” on how to agree future policy, financial frameworks and repatriation of agriculture powers. The pieces call for “meaningful progress” to be made on the legal mechanisms required to make agricultural payments in the immediate aftermath of Brexit, and follows a letter published by NFUS Scotland president Andrew McCornick to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing and DEFRA Secretary of State Michael Gove.

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  • Tackling marine plastics

    29th October 2018 by

    Scotland has shown leadership in resource use, increase in recycling and reduction in waste because we understand that we cannot continue to ignore the impact we are having on the natural world. The Blue Planet and Drowning in Plastics programmes brought home the horrific reality of that impact. Taking action on plastic waste and furthering our aims for a circular economy for the benefit of a global society is a crucial part of our agenda. That is why Scotland has taken the lead on plastics and will continue to do so.

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  • Importance of in-market specialists to Scotland’s Food and Drink

    13th June 2018 by

    Ahead of today’s Food & Drink Global Market Insights event in Falkirk, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing outlines the importance of in-market specialists to Scotland’s food and drink industry. “Scotland is blessed with a Natural Larder that is renowned and valued all over the world. We are a Land of Food and Drink, with a...

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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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