Food and drink

The marine environment could be better protected and new green jobs could be generated to help create stronger local economies and vibrant coastal communities, according to ‘Our Marine Sector in an Independent Scotland’, a new paper published by Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon.

The Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament (SRIP) is an important opportunity for voice of rural and island communities to help reinforce the importance of local democracy and to help shape the emerging Rural Delivery Plan. The theme of this year’s SRIP was Village Halls and Community Spaces.

Ayrshire RSABI Farm Resilience Programme Introduction Meeting

Farmers in Ayrshire are being invited to attend a free Welcome and Introduction evening at the Volunteer Rooms, Parterre, Irvine KA12 0BA on November 15, starting at 6.30pm. 

Attendees are invited for a sandwich supper followed by the opportunity to hear about the free business support, worth around £2000 per family, which will be on offer via the 2023/24 Farm Resilience Programme, which will run through the winter months and up to lambing time. 

 Scottish agricultural charity RSABI is working with Dyslexia Scotland to raise awareness of the challenges many people involved in farming face with dyslexia. 

Holyrood’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee has today launched a call for views to inform its consideration of the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill. 

The legislation represents the Scottish Government’s ‘vision for agriculture’ to transform farming and food production in Scotland and to make it a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

Local food and drink projects are being encouraged to apply for funding from the Scottish Government’s Regional Food Fund.

The latest round of funding of up to £100,000 is now available for businesses and groups who wish to promote regional food products and establish new markets.

The Chief Statistician has released first estimates of the 2023 Scottish harvest.

The figures predict that cereal production will remain in line with the ten-year average despite significant challenges during the year, including high input costs and poor weather condition. Total cereal production is expected to be around 3.0 million tonnes.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Trade Minister Richard Lochhead have written jointly to the UK Government to voice the Scottish Government’s concern about the possibility of the UK Government negotiating a ‘foundational trade partnership’ with the United States of America, as reported recently in the media.

The countdown is on to Scotland’s national smallholding festival, which takes place at the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday 14th October 2023.

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