CAP payments due to start from today
Payments worth more than £300 million will start arriving in the bank accounts of farmers and crofters today.
Fergus Ewing
Commission looking to improve rural economy
A new, independent commission, being launched today, will examine how the economic performance of Scotland’s rural areas can be improved.
Scottish farmers awarded £250,000 to help with fallen stock retrieval costs
The Scottish Government last night announced plans for a new £250,000 fund to help farmers and crofters offset the cost of retrieving fallen livestock.
MSP encourages public to ‘act responsibly’ when walking their dogs
Members of the public have been asked to “act responsibly” when walking their dogs in the countryside.
Landmark Forestry Bill gets Holyrood backing
Opposition MSPs have united to block plans to bring forestry under the direct control of the Scottish Government.
Funding boost for Fraserburgh fishing jobs
Up to 60 jobs could be created in a north-east town as part of a massive investment into fish processing.
Public land opened up to encourage farm start-ups
More than 2,500 acres of publicly-owned land are to be made available to set up around 50 start-up units aimed at helping would-be farmers to get a foot on the first rung of the farming ladder.
Ewing pledges to put food production at the heart of future agricultural policy
Defra’s plan to focus post-Brexit farm funding on environmental projects was yesterday condemned as a “green screen” devised solely to enable the Treasury to withdraw direct support for food production.
Fergus Ewing highlights role of EU workers in the rural economy
The importance of access to an EU migrant workforce was highlighted by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing during a visit to one of Scotland’s largest egg producers.
SNP accused of a “dereliction of duty” over post-Brexit farm payments
No plans have been drawn up for post-Brexit farm payments, the Scottish Government has admitted, leading to accusations of a “dereliction of duty”.
Minister attacks ban on live exports of livestock
The Scottish Government has spoken out against UK Government plans to ban all live exports of livestock.
Funding boost for co-op’s farm apprentice scheme
Laurencekirk-based co-operative Ringlink yesterday secured £39,000 of government funding to expand its farm apprentice programme and create a training template which can be rolled out across Scotland.
Farmer subsidy loan scheme to close for applications on February 9
Farmers and crofters have 15 days left to apply for subsidy support through the 2017 BPS loan scheme.
Livestock farmers set to get help with feed budgeting
The Scottish Government is to offer free feed budgeting advice to livestock farmers in the wake of fodder shortages and rising straw prices.
Store group scheme to showcase small suppliers
An international supermarket has launched a new programme to try to give up-and-coming food and drink companies in Scotland the chance to secure their big break.
Boost for Broch fish processing industry
Up to 20 jobs will be created in a north-east town as part of a £600,000 investment into fish processing.
£2m for superfast broadband announced
A £2million funding package for superfast broadband in Aberdeen has been announced by the Scottish Government.
New farming weather advisory group to be established
A new weather advisory panel for the agricultural sector is to be established, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing revealed at AgriScot.
Scottish farmers to receive first loan payments this week
Farm subsidy payment loans totalling £254million will start to arrive in bank accounts this week, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has confirmed.
Fergus Ewing: Scottish farmers robbed of £160m EU farm payments
Scottish farmers have been robbed of £160m in EU convergence payments by the UK Government, Rural Affairs Secretary Fergus Ewing has told the SNP conference.
Fergus Ewing: Scotland on track to hit broadband target
Scotland will exceed its target of connecting 95% of homes to superfast broadband, according to connectivity secretary Fergus Ewing.
Fergs Ewing pledges to improve rights of women in farming
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has pledged to do all he can to ensure women have the same rights and opportunities as men in farming.
Progress has been made on Cap IT, says Ewing
More than a year has passed since Fergus Ewing was appointed cabinet secretary for the rural economy in the Scottish Government.
New £1m ice plant officially opened
Scotland’s newest ice plant was officially opened by Rural Economy and Connectivity Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing yesterday.
Push for fishers to land catch in Scotland
Scotland’s fishing fleet will be forced to land more of its catch into “home” ports under new proposals unveiled by the Scottish Government.
Rural Council has no Highlands representative
The lack of a Highlands representative on the Scottish Government’s rural council has been criticised by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant.
Bid to get tougher over BVD-infected beef herds
Government and farming industry patience has finally expired with beef producers who are failing to clean up herds infected with the scourge of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD).
Ewing holds farm subsidy pillars transfer rate at 9.5%
The proportion of farm subsidy funds going into rural development schemes will remain the same this year.
Scotland granted lowest risk status for BSE
The Scottish beef industry received a welcome boost today with news the country’s Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) status has been reduced to the lowest risk level available.
May launches tirade against Scottish Government at PMQs
Theresa May launched a fierce attack on the Scottish Government yesterday as new Tory Andrew Bowie accused the SNP of "failing rural Scotland".
Scottish Government fails to pay all farm subsidies on time
Scottish Government has failed to meet an EU deadline to pay the majority of farm subsidy payments by the end of June.
Scottish fishermen have science on their side
Scotland’s fishing fleet could be in line for substantial quota increases next year, if bureaucrats follow the latest recommendations of scientists.