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.
Fergus Ewing
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.
Jobs created at former Pinneys plant in Annan
More than 100 jobs are set to be created at the former Pinneys of Scotland plant in Annan, the Scottish Government has announced.
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).
UK Government accused of ‘feckless and reckless’ approach to Brexit
Michael Gove has faced claims the UK Government is guilty of a “feckless and reckless” approach to Brexit and that a no-deal scenario risks “irreparable” harm to the farming industry.
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.
More than £100m of public money spent on Scottish food producers in one year
More than £100 million of public money has been used to support food producers in Scotland over the last year.
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.
Industry chiefs urge consumers to support local food producers
Farming leaders have launched appeals to festive food shoppers to buy Scottish when they do this year’s seasonal stock-up.
Government to fund campaign for Scots pork
One of Scotland’s biggest ever pork marketing campaigns will kick off in the new year thanks to grant funding from the Scottish Government.
Community urged to help with beleagured Highlands ski centre
Scotland’s public spending watchdog was last night urged to investigate the financial arrangements that led to Cairngorm Mountain Ltd going into administration.
Rural and remote communities to get better housing says economy minister
More than £1 million has been awarded in 2019 to support crofters in some of Scotland’s most rural and remote communities to get better housing, rural economy minister Fergus Ewing announced today.
‘Climate of fear’ in farming industry
A leading Scottish farmer claimed at AgriScot that over-zealous farm inspections have resulted in a widespread “climate of fear” in the industry.
Warning hospitality sector could struggle if Brexit curtails migrant workforce
Hotels and restaurants across Scotland could struggle to operate if Brexit leads to a bar on migrant workers.
Fergus Ewing: Farmers will get their payments
Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has accused the UK Government of being intent on stopping direct support payments to farmers “just as quickly as they can get away with it”.
Ewing draws up battle lines for agriculture bill
A series of amendments to the UK Government’s Agriculture Bill have been published by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.
Scots farmers deprived of a fair share – Ewing
Scottish farmers’ long-standing hopes of getting their share of £160million of EU funds appear to have been dashed by Defra and the UK Treasury.
New taskforce set up to simplify farm payments
A government taskforce is to be established to develop a new, simplified farm and rural support payments system.
Views sought as forestry gets set for changes
Views are being sought on a new forestry strategy for Scotland.
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.