Views sought as forestry gets set for changes
Views are being sought on a new forestry strategy for Scotland.
Fergus Ewing
Call to find ‘fair solution’ to red meat levy issue
The Scottish Government has called for a “fair solution” to the ongoing problem of red meat levy money from Scottish-born animals being collected down south.
‘Government is on side to help farmers’ – Fergus Ewing
Summer recess provides a welcome opportunity to get out and about in Scotland, attending shows from the Highlands to the south-west, visiting communities and businesses and hearing first-hand how things are in our rural economy.
Almost 500 farm businesses kept waiting for cash
Almost 500 farm businesses are still waiting to receive Basic Payment Scheme monies for 2016-17.
Scottish Government launches farm subsidy loan scheme
The Scottish Government has launched a national loan scheme to administer farm subsidy support from early October.
Ewing tells farmers that input on subsidies is ‘vital’
Farmers and crofters have been urged to share their views on the future of agricultural support.
Money dished out over livestock killed by cold
Payments to help farmers and crofters offset the cost of fallen stock retrieval have begun.
Nicola Sturgeon unveils radical reshuffle of her top team
Nicola Sturgeon wielded the axe yesterday as she delivered the most radical reshuffle and restructure of the Cabinet in the 11 years since the SNP took power.
Michael Gove fails farmers over funding review
UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove left the Royal Highland showground last night after spectacularly failing to give the Scottish farming industry the one key assurance it demanded - that the long-promised review into the allocation of £160 million of convergence funding would go ahead.
Funds to support sheep farmers
Sheep coupled support payments worth £7 million will start arriving in the bank accounts of farmers and crofters in the next few weeks.
Bridge Street site purchase to facilitate city centre regeneration and Inverness Castle development
The Highland Council today unveiled plans for the purchase of a significant site on the southern side of Inverness’ Bridge Street.
Fergus Ewing denies Holyrood cabinet reshuffle during Aberdeen visit
Fisheries Minister Fergus Ewing batted away rumours of a looming cabinet reshuffle at Holyrood during his visit to the Skipper Expo International Aberdeen show yesterday.
Fisheries funding to top £6.9m
New funding worth more than £6.9 million is to be invested in projects to help fishing fleets land and sell their catch and support jobs in coastal communities.
Scottish farmers play piggy in middle over CAP fund row
The long-awaited review into Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) convergence uplift funding has been delayed sparking anger at Holyrood.
Fishing fleet facing ‘critical’ risk
Scotland’s fishing fleet is facing a “critical” risk which could force boats out of business or scupper the EU-wide ban on discards, it has been claimed.
Crops struggle for farmers
UK Farming Minister George Eustice has written to the European Commission requesting a UK-wide exemption from the three-crop rule for 2018.
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.
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.