Rural and Environment

  • 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.

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  • This week: 19/07/19

    19th July 2019 by

    Disposable cups An expert panel in Scotland has issued a report recommending a charge on disposable drinks cups as a method of reducing single cup use. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Disposable cups present an obvious littering issue, but there is ever-growing awareness within our society of the impact single-use plastic has on our wider...

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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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  • In the news: Raptor persecution

    16th July 2019 by

    You may have seen in the news and online, Chris Packham’s piece on Hen Harriers and raptor persecution on Scottish grouse moors.

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  • 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...

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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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  • This week: 14/6/19

    14th June 2019 by

    Rural skills plan A new strategic approach to support the skills needs of rural Scotland has been launched by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn. The Skills Action Plan for Rural Scotland aims to address skill shortages, talent retention and attraction, and demographic challenges, through enhancing work-based learning and increasing access...

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  • In the news: Net-zero commitment

    12th June 2019 by

    The UK Government has finally announced that greenhouse gas emissions in the UK will be cut to almost zero by 2050, which is being reported widely this morning. The Scottish Government is determined to stop contributing to climate change within a generation and acted on the advice from the Committee on Climate Change immediately by lodging amendments to the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill to set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest.

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  • This week: 7/6/19

    7th June 2019 by

    Food and Drink exports A second phase of the Scotland Food and Drink Export Plan has been announced – to help the industry to achieve its overall aim to double turnover value to £30 billion by 2030. The Food and Drink Export Plan is supported by £4.5 million OF joint funding from the Scottish Government,...

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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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