Mairi Gougeon

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

Humza Yousaf urged to appoint extra help for 'immense' rural affairs portfolio

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon says there will be "no cliff edges" when it comes to financial support for farmers in Scotland (pic: PA)

'There will not be cliff edges when it comes to support for farmers'

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon. Picture: Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA

Scottish minister writes open letter on food security to Rishi Sunak

SFF chief executive Elspeth Macdonald

Minister must stop and rethink on HPMAs, says fisheries leader

Picture: Ben Birchall/PA

SNP minister to say fishing is ‘lifeblood of coastal Scotland’ amid HPMA fury

A farmer holding young lambs at his farm near Denny (Andrew Milligan/PA)

New report 'makes the case' for radical approach to Agriculture Bill

Society behind the Royal Highland Show said its annual financial figures are optimistic, despite the current challenging economic climate (Lisa Ferguson)

Optimism ahead for Royal Highland Show - but what about the farmers?

An animal rights protester is apprehended by police officers at the second fence ahead of the Grand National at Aintree last Saturday

Readers' letters: Don’t blame animal rights activists for horses dying

Muirburning

Open letter to Scottish Government highlights controversy over muirburn

In the future, at least half of all funding for farms and crofts will be linked to improving biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions (Picture: Mark Runnacles/PA Wire)

Scotland can lead the world in climate-friendly farming – Mairi Gougeon

Stuart Goodall is Chief Executive of forestry and wood trade body Confor

- Forsestry sector must work closely with government to reap the net zero reward...

Animal welfare groups and politicians have written to the Scottish Government, calling for a moratorium on the expansion of salmon farming - which could be set to double

Tipping the scales: Call for halt to fish farming expansion

Animal welfare groups and politicians have written to the Scottish Government, calling for a moratorium on the expansion of salmon farming - which could be set to double

Tipping the scales: Call for halt to fish farming expansion

Jenny Gilruth, with Mairi Gougeon MSP, campaigner Jill Fotheringham and Cllr Kevin Stelfox.

Transport Minister visits Laurencekirk junction

Boris Johnson poses with two crabs at Stromness harbour, but by getting Brexit done, he has damaged Scotland's food-and-drink industry (Picture: Robert Perry/WPA pool/Getty Images)

Brexit is blighting world-class Scottish food-and-drink industry – Mairi Gougeon

The agriculture sector is responsible for the third-largest share of Scotland's total climate emissions

Call for government support to help farmers grow food and tackle climate crisis

A host of processing businesses and fishing vessels have received awards from the Fund.

Support for marine and fishing businesses

Farmers and crofters need clear commitments about future funding (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

The future of Scottish agriculture is under severe threat – Jonnie Hall

Harry Brown’s family farm was named Scotch Beef Farm of the Year.

Peterhead farmer takes top award

MP David Duguid worries that if nothing is done the disease with continue to spread across the NE.

Banff and Buchan MP voices concerns over lack of Scottish Government action to f...

Mairi Gougeon with Kirsteen Campbell and Pet Aid coordinator, Carrie Gianelli.(Scottish SPCA)

Scottish SPCA welcomes support of Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon for Pet Aid in...

A public consultation has been launched to seek views on proposals for Scotland's new Agriculture Bill, expected next year -- with discussions on topics such as how to maintain high animal welfare standards

Future of Scottish farming and agriculture consultation launched

New Zealand will eventually be able to import an uncapped amount of beef to the UK

NZ trade deal will hit Scotland's farmers

A rundown house on the Isle of Lewis. Picture: CC.

SNP ministers ditch plans to give people £50k to move to depopulated islands

Salmon farms play a key role in the rural economy (Picture: David Cheskin/PA)

Salmon farms can alleviate Highlands and Islands house price crisis

Minister Mairi Gougeon

Farming: Support payments reach targets says Mairi Gourgeon

Cabinet Minister Mairi Gougeon

Farming: Problems mounting for the pig industry supply chain

Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon

Cash sweetener to tempt farmers to take part in survey

NFUS president Martin Kennedy.

Farming: Support payments brought forward to help with spiralling costs

The process to open up a fish farm in Scotland is handled by four different agencies with the slow handling of proposals stunting growth of the industry, argues Tavish Scott. PIC: geograph.org.

Scottish salmon industry could grow faster if quangos got leaner - Tavish Scott

Agricultural galas, including the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, are back in force this year -- some for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 -- so we should do our best to support them, according to Scottish rural minister Mairi Gougeon. Picture: David Moir

Mairi Gougeon: Why agricultural shows need our support

Kitchen Coos and Ewes offer farm tours and experiences where you can see Highland cows and Beltex sheep in their natural, farm environment in south west Scotland. Picture: VisitScotland

Major survey aims to boost growth in agritourism

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands

Farming: Call for farm support payments

Gene edited wheat can give far higher yields
Pic: Getty

Westminster calls for Scotland to reconsider rules on gene editing

Young salmon were captured and tagged in several locations on the west coast of Scotland, including the River Orchy, before being released to embark on their migration journey. Picture: Mel Shand/Atlantic Salmon Trust

Wild swimming: What Scotland's king of fish get up to once they reach the sea

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the move would provide cash flow security

Farming: Hardship scheme for pig producers extended

Brands such as Walkers shortbread make a major contribution to Scotland's food and drink export success.

Scottish food and drink firms fly flag for UK with bumper exports

Brands such as Walkers shortbread make a major contribution to Scotland's food and drink export success.

Scottish food and drink firms fly flag for UK with bumper exports

Farming's national test programme on track

Global Seafood Alliance COO Brian Perkins, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon and Seafood Scotland CEO Donna Fordyce.

Scotland to play host to largest global seafood conference of its kind

Deborah Long is chief officer of Scottish Environment LINK.

Agricultural funding must encourage methods that protect and restore nature - De...

Andrew Connon, NFUS

Greenwashing leads to a Scottish land gold-rush!

The slurry with the grant on top

People wait to board buses during their evacuation in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Saturday, April 9, 2022. After the bombing of the train station Friday, resident are continuing their attempts to leave the city on buses and other transports. (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko)

Call for 'urgent' four nations talks on impact of Ukraine war on food security

Rising costs put future farm earnings under pressure

Old Leckie farm , Stirling

Agritourism plays a key role in sustaining rural family life and jobs

Big job for croft commissioners

Mairi Gougeon, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs feared reconsidering a fishing ban would send “the wrong signal” to the Scottish Green Party, official emails reveal (Picture: Andrew Parsons/PA).

Clyde Fishing Ban: SNP accused of “bowing to the demands” of the Greens

James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, will co-chair the task force

Farming: Task force set up to tackle disruption to food supply due to Ukraine co...

Bird flu cases hit record numbers

Ducks await being sent to a slaughterhouse. Picture: Gaizka Iroz/AFP via Getty Images

Avian flu outbreak discovered in Scotland

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, said the Scottish Government is not considering any additional financial support schemes related to the cod-spawning ban for fishermen (Photo: Craig Stephen).

Government refuses financial support for fishermen “driven into poverty”

Ms Gougeon does not want any dealings with Russia over fishing rights.

Ukraine Crisis: Officials ordered to withdraw from fishing talks with Russia

Farming's National test programme on way

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs

Farming policy delivery is slow but heading in right direction

Nofence grazing is top innovation in AgriScot awards

The Scotsman Top Stories

Teenage Students In Uniform Sitting Examination In School Hall

Scottish towns 'underperform' in new school league tables

Secondary schools ranked by percentage of pupils passing five or more Highers or equivalent qualifications in the 2021/22 academic year

Search our interactive Scottish secondary school league table

Nicola Sturgeon speaking to the media outside her home. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Nicola Sturgeon to take part in political talk show at Edinburgh Festival Fringe