Rural and Environment

  • 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,...

    Read more

  • 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

    Read more

  • Crofting update

    12th April 2018 by

    This government is determined not to allow crofting to be simply a relic of our past: crofting must have a purpose and a role in our present and our future. That purpose is to support people to remain on the land and to bring people back to the land, with crofting also playing a role in creating a sustainable and productive environment in which people can live and work. To achieve this, crofting needs an effective regulatory and statutory framework.

    Read more

  • Landmark day for Scotland’s forestry

    21st March 2018 by

    Yesterday I was proud to welcome the passing of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill. This landmark legislation completes the devolution of forestry to Scotland, a process that started nearly 20 years ago. I am proud to have been the Cabinet Secretary responsible for introducing this historic bill, the first forestry legislation since the...

    Read more

  • Preparing for Pass it On Week

    7th March 2018 by

    Ahead of Pass it On Week - Scotland's annual celebration of re-use, Zero Waste Scotland guest blog on how we can all play a part in swapping, donating, sharing and repairing to help make things last.  

    Read more

  • Understanding our rural economy

    23rd February 2018 by

    To some people the term ‘rural economy’ conjures up images of sleepy, traditional industries, where very little changes from one generation to the next. In reality, the rural economy is vibrant, diverse, and changing all the time. My job is to build on that vibrancy, and encourage more diversity, to help grow that economy and...

    Read more

  • Success for Ulva

    1st February 2018 by

    Commenting on the decision to give consent to North West Mull Community Woodland Company Limited to proceed with its right to buy the Isle of Ulva, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “Congratulations to the North West Mull Community Woodland Company in receiving consent to proceed...

    Read more

  • Scotland’s Land Reform Agenda

    6th January 2018 by

    2017 has been a landmark year for Scotland’s Land Reform agenda. Our progressive community land ownership policies have delivered huge benefits to communities across the country, and have set us on an ambitious process to transform the relationship between the land and the people of Scotland. Community right to buy, which we expanded through the...

    Read more

  • Signing up to Global Ghost Gear Initiative

    21st December 2017 by

    The Scottish Government has signed up to a global initiative aimed at reducing the amount of fishing gear lost in oceans and harming the marine environment.

    Read more

  • This migration season, will we see avian flu return?

    14th November 2017 by

    Last winter Scotland was lucky. We had no reported cases of H5N8 avian flu in domestic flocks. The rest of the UK was not so lucky as the disease was confirmed at 13 premises whose flocks ranged in size from nine to 65,000 birds. Here two experts have their say on the importance of practising good biosecurity measures.

    Read more