Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing embroiled in foxhunting row
Scotland's rural economy secretary has become embroiled in a hunting row after he highlighted the use of dogs to kill foxes as way of protecting capercaillie.
Fergus Ewing
Bumper year for tree seed to help Scotland battle climate change
A “glut” of tree seeds harvested this year could help Scotland meet climate change targets for years to come, forestry bosses have said.
Ewing accuses PM of reneging on EU £160m
Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary, Fergus Ewing, has accused the prime minister of trying to renege on his promise to return £160 million of EU convergence funds to Scottish farmers.
Funicular work to finally begin in May – operators reveal – as new attraction launches
Work on the troubled Cairngorm funicular railway will finally begin in May - operators revealed yesterday - as a new attraction on the mountain was officially launched to boost tourism.
Beef price crisis summit finds no easy answers
A Scottish Government summit to address the continued decline in beef prices failed to find a solution to the sector’s woes.
Tories pushing for 100% farm subsidy loan payments
The Scottish Tories have called for government farm subsidy loan payments to be increased to 100% of what a farmer or crofter is due.
Scottish Government to host beef summit
A Scottish Government beef summit is to be chaired by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing in the next few weeks, hard on the heels of this week’s NFU Scotland (NFUS) industry meeting in Inverurie.
Ewing seeks food and drink assurance
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has written to newly appointed Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers asking for assurances over the protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) after Brexit.
Return of BPS loans is welcomed by farmers
Farmers and crofters will be offered Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) loans once again this year.
Farming vital to boost economy, say 86% of Scots
Almost nine in 10 Scots believe farming is vital to economic growth, according to a new poll.
£600 million superfast broadband project hit by delays
The £600 million drive to give every Scottish property superfast broadband by 2021 has been hit by delays, prompting fears the target will be missed.
Ewing vows to act over drop in cattle numbers
A promise to work with the industry to reverse the decline in cattle numbers was given yesterday by Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing.
Ewing demand to Defra over £110m Cap support
The Scottish Government has asked Defra to deliver almost £110 million in extra Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) support to farmers and crofters north of the border.
Fishermens’ safety takes centre stage at city expo
New measures to improve the safety of fishermen at sea will be announced at Skipper Expo International in Aberdeen today.
Twenty years of devolution: Son’s tribute to Winnie Ewing’s role
Fergus Ewing will mark devolution's 20th anniversary by remembering the role played by his mother Winnie in re-establishing the Scottish Parliament after almost 300 years.
Huge payouts in staff overtime over farm subsidy IT system
Staff overtime costs for the Scottish Government’s beleaguered farm payments IT system have totalled more than £1.8 million since 2015.
Farmers call for funding to help halt cattle decline
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has been personally challenged twice in recent days to do more to encourage an increase in beef cow numbers.
Fergus Ewing warns of Brexit threat to fish processing and agriculture
Fergus Ewing has said Brexit poses a major risk to fish processing as he warned the loss of its EU workforce would threaten the industry’s future.
Guidance fails to ease tenant farmers’ fears
Newly published guidance about tree planting on tenanted land appears to have done little to mitigate tenant farmers’ deep-seated suspicion of forestry.
More than half of farms at loss without subsidy
More than half of Scottish farms would have made a loss last year without subsidy support, despite average farm incomes being at a six-year high.
Ewing sees two more farms join in agri-tourism
Two new Scottish agri-tourism monitor farms have been created.
Fishing must not be Brexit bargaining chip, says Fergus Ewing
The Fisheries Minister has insisted that access to Scottish waters must not be used as a “bargaining chip” in Brexit negotiations.
Forestry school embarks on MA training scheme
A group of eight forestry apprentices is embarking on a new two-year training programme at the Scottish School of Forestry.
LFASS loan offer letters on way to farmers
Farmers and crofters will soon receive loan offer letters for the Scottish Government’s National Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS).
New Rural Economy Action Group launched
Scottish Government has announced the creation of a new group to drive forward the recommendations of the National Council of Rural Advisers (NCRA).
Ewing demands no-deal payout for Scots farmers
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has called on the UK Government to give Scottish farmers and crofters compensation in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
North and north-east food processors granted share of £1.7million improvement fund
Six food processing firms from the north and north-east have landed a funding boost to improve their facilities.
MSPs back calls for action on fish farming
MSPs last night backed calls for urgent action to tighten the regulation of fish farms and minimise the industry’s impact on the environment.
Subsidy delays a ‘kick in the teeth’ for producers
More than 80 farmers and crofters are still waiting for subsidy support payments from 2015.
Lobbyists hopeful over LFASS funds
Farming lobbyists appeared to make some headway yesterday in their campaign to force the Scottish Government to maintain Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) at 100% of current levels.
Ewing in ‘screeching U-turn’ on cuts to LFASS payments
A “screeching U-turn” on cuts to Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) payments hijacked a Holyrood debate on the future of rural policy yesterday.
Farm leaders furious at cuts to LFASS payments
The Scottish Government has confirmed further cuts to Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) payments for the next two years.