Rural and Environment

  • What are ‘heat networks’?

    3rd September 2019 by

    Every day more than 800 heat networks are supplying warmth and hot water to over 23,000 households in Scotland. This innovative and environmentally friendly way of supplying heat involves a distribution system of insulated pipes that carry hot water or steam from a central source and deliver it to homes and businesses. Networks can vary...

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  • Bew review results delayed

    30th August 2019 by

    Commenting on the apparent delay to the publication of Lord Bew’s recommendations into intra-governmental Common Agricultural Policy funding allocations, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland’s farmers deserve to know the outcome of Lord Bew’s review. The recommendations should not be left to gather dust on a shelf in Whitehall while farmers face the most challenging environment for a generation as a result of an impending no deal Brexit.

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  • This week: Clean energy, South of Scotland funding and Crown Estate consultation

    30th August 2019 by

    £1 million funding for South of Scotland Enterprise Projects to develop rural skills, community enterprises and female-led businesses are the latest recipients of more than £1 million from the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP). The Partnership has awarded a total of £1,045,184 to five projects, including an initiative to improve Galashiels Town Centre and...

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  • Orkney leading the way on climate change

    15th August 2019 by

    The parliamentary recess provides a valuable opportunity for Scottish Government ministers to spend even more time meeting communities across the country. This week I visited the beautiful Orkney islands to see and hear first-hand how Orcadians are rising to the challenges of climate change unique to island communities and capitalising on innovation in the shared...

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  • Climate change cabinet, green infrastructure funding and timber transport

    9th August 2019 by

    Climate change-themed travelling cabinet During this week’s travelling cabinet, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has officially opened a new £6 million project which uses cutting-edge renewables technology to harness energy from waste water. Ms Sturgeon launched the Stirling District Heat Network project while visiting the city as part of the 50th Travelling Cabinet. The project, which...

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  • Tackling biosecurity in agriculture

    6th August 2019 by

    Policy Officer Ian Murdoch on the importance of biosecurity in agriculture and what can be done to reduce the risk of diseases being spread. You might not think an agricultural show and a hospital have much in common. Everyone will be familiar with the good hygiene rules when walking into a hospital. Not so much...

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  • In the news: Deposit Return Scheme

    2nd August 2019 by

    You may have seen in the Scotsman an opinion piece from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association regarding our proposal to include glass in our Deposit Return Scheme. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Last year’s public consultation signalled support for an ambitious deposit return scheme. We believe there is strong public support for including glass in that scheme and the wider benefits are clear, delivering increased recycling rates, reductions in carbon emissions and reductions in glass litter. “We are aware that some businesses have concerns about its inclusion. The Scottish Government is committed to working with them to implement the…

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  • This week on Greener: Climate Conversations, Nature Conservations and more

    2nd August 2019 by

    Protecting Scotland’s iconic brands Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has written to the newly appointed UK Secretary of State Theresa Villiers calling on her to ensure that iconic Scottish food and drink products continue to have the necessary protections in place in the EU – deal or no deal. The UK Government has previously indicated...

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  • 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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