Scottish land chiefs call for Humza Yousaf to appoint extra minister for 'immense' rural affairs portfolio

It is understood the rural affairs secretary is the only one in government without a junior minister.

Land managers in Scotland have called on the first minister to appoint extra ministerial support for the government’s rural affairs portfolio, which has at least three Bills being taken forward by the end of this year.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon currently appears to be the only cabinet secretary without a supporting junior minister, of which there are 18 in the Scottish cabinet.

Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), the umbrella body for landowners, has written a letter to Humza Yousaf urging him to appoint a junior rural affairs minister to assist with the “immense” portfolio.

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Signed by SLE chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing, it said: “The Rural Affairs portfolio is immense in its scale and breadth, covering everything from future agriculture policy to Islands policy, and now also Land Reform.

"98 per cent of Scotland’s land is rural, so it is hardly surprising that the policy load is significant.

" As things stand, Ms Gougeon will be taking forward at least three Bills before the end of this year in addition to developing various strategies, and appears – from the Scottish Government’s own information – to be the only Cabinet Secretary without a supporting junior minister.”

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf has been urged to appoint a junior minister to support the rural affairs portfolio (Andy Buchanan/PA)

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Some of the significant Bills in progress include the Agriculture Bill, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill and the Land Reform Bill.

Also in the portfolio are decisions to be made of the controversial proposed highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) which have prompted a major backlash from rural and coastal communities.