By Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing

"In my new role as Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity my ambition is to grow the rural economy sustainably, so rural communities thrive, for the benefit of everyone who lives and works there, and indeed for the benefit of Scotland as a whole.
Since coming into office, I have met a number of people and organisations involved in the rural economy, and I have been inspired by their commitment, knowledge and expertise. These qualities are tremendous assets to the rural economy.
The Royal Highland Show is a great example of this. It highlights the importance of farming and food to the Scottish economy, and at this year’s show. I will be meeting the leaders in agriculture and in food and drink. I will also be speaking to new entrants and congratulating winners of a national school competition who have drawn their visions of the future of agriculture. I hope some of them will be inspired by being at the Show and begin thinking about the wide range of careers that exist in agriculture.
I am aware that the agricultural sector is not short of immediate challenges, none more so than the need to get Common Agricultural Policy direct payments to farmers and crofters as swiftly as possible.
This is my first and foremost immediate priority in my new role. All eligible farmers should have already received a substantial payment from the Scottish Government worth 80% of their estimated entitlement, unless they chose to opt out of the nationally funded loan scheme.
Staff in area offices and our Edinburgh HQ are working relentlessly to make the remaining payments before the end of June and we will imminently begin making second instalments – which will inject at least another £50 million into Scotland’s rural economy.
Completing the 2015 payments so farmers and crofters get their money as soon as possible is one of my immediate priorities. I am also focused on delivering compliance to minimise any financial penalties and avoiding a repeat of this year’s problems.
The online system performed much better during this year’s Single Application Form window, and was available to customers, excluding planned downtime, for 99.99% of the time. Consequently, around three quarters of all SAFs were submitted online this year – a significant increase on 2015, when less than two thirds of applications were made through Rural Payments and Services.
While the resolution of the CAP payments will not be achieved overnight, I want to see that the 2016 payments are on a proper footing. Work is already underway to address this and I will provide an update this autumn on the 2016 payment timetable.
Agriculture is a vital cog in the Scottish economy, employing 65,000 people and underpinning our £14 billion food and drink industry – one of the fasting growing and most successful sectors in Scotland. We have many successful farmers, crofters and food and drink producers and they have much to share and inspire others.
We must continue to capitalise on Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink, both at home and on the international stage. The next phase of Scotland’s Good Food Nation journey is for food to be a key part of what makes the people of Scotland proud of their country – food which is delicious and nutritious, and environmentally sustainable.
Scottish farmers and crofters must get a fair deal for their produce. A strong agricultural sector means looking at the way we do things and making appropriate changes, whether that is on farm or through the whole supply chain. Farmers and crofters also are the stewards of the countryside, managing it, caring for it and making it the attractive landscape that it is. This, together with the high quality food farmers produce, is at the heart of what attracts most visitors to Scotland.
I am utterly determined to maximise market opportunities at home and abroad for producers of Scotland’s premium food and drink. The USA is already on the cusp of resuming beef imports from the UK while the Canadian market is now open for both beef and lamb. The opportunities for exports and producer incomes are potentially massive and it is imperative that Scotland is ahead of the game in promoting our iconic red meat brands.
We could do so much to maximise such opportunities at home and abroad if we received our fair share of the UK’s red meat levy, which would see Quality Meat Scotland able to invest an extra £1.5 million a year in the sector. That’s why I’m calling on the UK Government to urgently bring forward legislation to give Scotland a fairer share of the levy, in line with the recommendations Defra received back in December 2015, and I have written to the Defra Farming Minister this week on this very point.
As well as their contribution to the rural economy, farmers and crofters contribute to Scotland’s magnificent natural environment. My vision is for an innovative, profitable and sustainable Scottish agriculture industry with tenant farming playing its part. Our land is one of our most valuable assets and land reform plays a strong part in delivering a fair and successful Scotland. This Government will implement the provisions in the Land Reform Act in order to build a vibrant tenant farming sector with new routes into farming and flexibility for tenant farming businesses to flourish.
I want to build on the successes we have already seen in the rural economy by removing barriers to growth, and creating an environment that enables all businesses to be resilient and able to operate effectively and efficiently. The Scottish Government has a clear focus on creating a competitive and supportive business environment. Innovation, infrastructure and connectivity are key to achieving this in rural Scotland. Planning law and practice must be a facilitator and enabler not a constraint.
Broadband and mobile coverage are crucial to many aspects of rural life. That is why the Scottish Government has made the commitment of delivering 100% superfast broadband across Scotland by 2021 – and we are already on track, hitting our target of 85% six months ahead of schedule. Coupled to that we have developed a joint action plan with the mobile industry which will deliver better mobile coverage across Scotland.
I am continually impressed by the resilience and resourcefulness of our rural communities. Together, we can unlock the vast economic potential of rural Scotland."