Rural and Environment

  • 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.

    Read more

  • 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,...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • This week: 31/5/19

    31st May 2019 by

    Attracting new entrant farmers More public sector land has been released to people who want to become farmers, following a Scottish Government scheme. Around 6,400 hectares of land has been made available from public bodies such as Forestry and Land Scotland, Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Water, Highland and Islands Enterprise, East Lothian and Highland Councils....

    Read more

  • This week: 24/5/19

    23rd May 2019 by

    Croft Housing Grant Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing announced £350,000 under the Croft Housing Grant award to support crofters in remote areas. Oyster Restoration Alliance conference Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon spoke at the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance conference in Edinburgh this week. Delegates from 15 European countries met to develop a blueprint for reef...

    Read more

  • Farming and the climate emergency

    21st May 2019 by

    Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon blogs on farming and the global climate emergency. The First Minister has declared a global climate emergency. The evidence is irrefutable and the science is compelling. People are clear, they expect action and the world needs to act now, not least for future generations. We are leading this response. This was made clear when we acted immediately to the advice of the Committee on Climate Change by lodging amendments to our Climate Change Bill to set a 2045 target for net zero emissions. Just last week another warning was issued about the damage humans are…

    Read more

  • This week: 17/05/19

    17th May 2019 by

    Supporting Scotland’s produce Funding has been granted to initiatives across Scotland to help celebrate Scotland’s regional food and drink industries. A total of 23 projects will share £104,500 awarded via the Connect Local Regional Food Fund. Grant recipients include the Annan Harbour Festival, the Glenkens Food Month, and the Skye Food and Drink Festival. Commenting...

    Read more

  • This week: 10/05/19

    10th May 2019 by

    Deposit Return Scheme Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced Scotland’s new Deposit Return Scheme. The scheme will include aluminium and steel cans as well as drinks containers made of glass and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic with a 20p deposit as part of plans to combat climate change. The ambitious scheme is based on...

    Read more

  • This week: 03/05/19

    3rd May 2019 by

    New Climate Change proposals Scotland will go greener, faster under new, tougher climate change proposals. The Scottish Government has lodged amendments to the Climate Change Bill to set a legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest. Read more on the latest climate change proposals  South of Scotland Economic Partnership...

    Read more

  • Listening to and acting on the scientific evidence

    1st May 2019 by

    By Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham The Scottish Government has declared a climate emergency. In recent weeks, the next generation has expressed, in growing numbers and with eloquence, sincerity and passion, their heartfelt concern for the planet they will inherit. Just last week, teenage activist Greta Thunberg accused the UK Government of not listening to...

    Read more