Rural and Environment

  • Circularity Scotland appointed as Deposit Return Scheme administrator for Scotland

    24th March 2021 by

    Circularity Scotland Limited has been announced as the new administrator to oversee operation of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The Scottish Government confirmed today that it had approved the scheme administrator application of Circularity Scotland, a not-for-profit body which represents a combination of drinks producers, trade associations and retailers. The DRS will require consumers to...

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  • Scotland’s Climate Assembly publishes interim report

    24th March 2021 by

    Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham welcomes the Climate Assembly's interim report

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  • Ensuring a just transition to net-zero

    23rd March 2021 by

    Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on the importance of a just transition to net-zero, as the Just Transition Commission publishes its final report

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  • Rural Affairs Minister updates Parliament on proposals to protect the welfare of animals during transport

    15th March 2021 by

    Following closure of the public consultation on the recommendations made by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee in its Opinion on the Welfare of Animals During Transport, the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Ben Macpherson has today updated Parliament on the Scottish Government’s current considerations.  Mr Macpherson said: “We understand the concerns raised...

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  • Extra £4 million for snowsports

    14th March 2021 by

    Additional funding of up to £4 million will support Scotland’s snowsports centres and ski schools though the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. The sector has been forced to close due to Level 4 restrictions to suppress the spread of COVID-19. This support comes on top of a £3 million funding package announced in January for snowsports...

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  • World Wildlife Day

    3rd March 2021 by

    Ben Macpherson, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment – UN World Wildlife Day FROM mountain hares and sea eagles to porpoises and whales, Scotland boasts some incredible wildlife. This World Wildlife Day, people across the globe will join together – to appreciate the natural world around them, to learn more about the importance...

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  • World Wildlife Day

    3rd March 2021 by

    Ben Macpherson, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment – UN World Wildlife Day FROM mountain hares and sea eagles to porpoises and whales, Scotland boasts some incredible wildlife. This World Wildlife Day, people across the globe will join together – to appreciate the natural world around them, to learn more about the importance...

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  • World Wildlife Day

    3rd March 2021 by

    Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Ben Macpherson – UN World Wildlife Day.  FROM mountain hares and sea eagles to porpoises and whales, Scotland boasts some incredible wildlife. This World Wildlife Day, people across the globe will join together – to appreciate the natural world around them, to learn more about the importance...

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  • Reflections of Chief Vet: 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak

    1st March 2021 by

    February marked the 20th anniversary of the start of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak of 2001 – the worst the UK has experienced. But it wasn’t until 1 March 2001 that the first case was identified in Scotland. As I have said before this is, in no way, an anniversary to be celebrated. It...

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  • Clarity on seafood support

    26th February 2021 by

    The UK Government must provide urgent detail on its new seafood funding scheme or risk undermining the support it is looking to provide businesses impacted by EU Exit and coronavirus (COVID-19), Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing has said. In a letter to the UK Government ahead of the second meeting of the Scottish Seafood Exports Taskforce...

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