Politics

Breaking

The Scotland-wide Restricted Zone takes effect on Saturday, October 3

Bluetongue virus

Scotland extends bluetongue restriction zone across entire country

The Agriculture Operations Hearing at the DPEA inquiry heard evidence on the practical challenges of farming beneath the proposed 400kV overhead line

The Agriculture Operations Hearing at the DPEA inquiry heard evidence on the practical challenges of farming beneath the proposed 400kV overhead line

Farmers challenge SSEN over safety at major power hearing

The latest SFI26 application window was exhausted in less than six hours, according to the NFU

The latest SFI26 application window was exhausted in less than six hours, according to the NFU

SFI Funding Row

NFU demands early SFI reopening after funding runs out

Jim Fairlie said he has confidence that farmers understand the risks posed by bluetongue

Jim Fairlie said he has confidence that farmers understand the risks posed by bluetongue

Bluetongue virus

Fairlie says farmers know bluetongue risks as campaign rejected

The Scottish Retail Consortium says price controls could create additional costs across the food supply chain

The Scottish Retail Consortium says price controls could create additional costs across the food supply chain

Retailers warn Scottish food price cap would fail shoppers

NFU demands budget support to bolster food security

NFU demands budget support to bolster food security

NFU urges Budget action

National Farmers Union (NFU)

NFU demands budget support to bolster food security

rural relationships

Countryside Alliance

Countryside Alliance urges Burnham to reverse ‘family farm tax’

SFI funding was fully allocated within hours of applications opening

SFI funding was fully allocated within hours of applications opening

SFI funding pot exhausted within hours as farmer demand surges

Edward Mountain looking at the Panel, Al Dargie, Jim Fairlie MSP, Fire Chief Kenny Barbour and Sandy McCook

Edward Mountain looking at the Panel, Al Dargie, Jim Fairlie MSP, Fire Chief Kenny Barbour and Sandy McCook

Calls for an independent review after Strathspey Wildfire

The Scottish Government launched its food price cap consultation on September 1

The Scottish Government launched its food price cap consultation on September 1

Processors put Scottish Government food price cap under pressure

Kate Adams outlined the latest developments in Brussels and their potential impact on UK farmers

Kate Adams outlined the latest developments in Brussels and their potential impact on UK farmers

The Political Field

Brussels livestock strategy could signal major change for British farmers

Jim Fairlie, agriculture minister

Jim Fairlie, agriculture minister

£296m in farming support paid to 81% of eligible Scottish businesses

Industry leaders warn food price caps could shift costs from supermarkets onto farmers and food producers

Industry leaders warn food price caps could shift costs from supermarkets onto farmers and food producers

Industry warning

Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Industry leaders warn Scottish food price caps could backfire

Former home secretary Lord Blunkett has called on Labour to rethink its approach to rural Britain

Former home secretary Lord Blunkett has called on Labour to rethink its approach to rural Britain

Countryside Alliance

Blunkett warns Labour as rural anger mounts

Douglas Ross joins AIC Scotland as policy manager

Douglas Ross joins AIC Scotland as policy manager

Douglas Ross joins AIC Scotland as policy manager

The parliamentary dispute centred on vaccination against bluetongue virus serotype 3

The parliamentary dispute centred on vaccination against bluetongue virus serotype 3

Bluetongue news

Bluetongue virus

MSP claims minister ignored farmers’ vaccination cost concerns

Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie provided a ministerial statement to parliament this week

Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie provided a ministerial statement to parliament this week

Bluetongue news

Bluetongue virus

Lib Dem MSP seeks clarity on Scotland’s bluetongue response

NFU Scotland has submitted its Autumn Budget 2026 priorities to HM Treasury

NFU Scotland has submitted its Autumn Budget 2026 priorities to HM Treasury

‘Warm words’ not enough as farmers press UK Government

Members of the Conservative frontbench wearing wheat badges at PMQs in the Commons on Wednesday

Members of the Conservative frontbench wearing wheat badges at PMQs in the Commons on Wednesday

Why are MPs wearing wheat badges at Prime Minister's Questions today?

The politicians describe the current pressures facing UK agriculture as a 'once-in-a-generation crisis'

The politicians describe the current pressures facing UK agriculture as a 'once-in-a-generation crisis'

More than 100 MPs demand farm inheritance tax u-turn

The Scottish Government plans to establish a ScotWind Wealth Fund by the end of the parliament

The Scottish Government plans to establish a ScotWind Wealth Fund by the end of the parliament

Renewable energy

New Scottish Government plans put communities at heart of renewables

Malcolm Offord, Reform UK Scotland leader

Malcolm Offord, Reform UK Scotland leader

Reform Conference

Reform targets farm tax, bureaucracy and imported food standards

The Countryside Alliance is calling for a reset in the Government’s approach to rural Britain Ref:RH100823046 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

The Countryside Alliance is calling for a reset in the Government’s approach to rural Britain Ref:RH100823046 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Countryside Alliance

Countryside Alliance calls for reset in Government’s rural approach

Some electric fencing systems were eligible for FFIS support where they formed part of rotational grazing or environmental management investments

Some electric fencing systems were eligible for FFIS support where they formed part of rotational grazing or environmental management investments

Scottish Government

More than 1200 Scottish farmers face BPS payment hold due to FFIS checks

Ministers have suggested a basket of 20 to 50 essential foods would be capped, potentially including bread, milk and eggs

Ministers have suggested a basket of 20 to 50 essential foods would be capped, potentially including bread, milk and eggs

Scottish Government

Ministers promise to protect farmers under proposed food caps

Ross Ewing at the site of the wildfires, Cairngorms National Park

Ross Ewing at the site of the wildfires, Cairngorms National Park

Scottish Government

Scottish wildfire response report reveals full scale of summer blaze

First Minister John Swinney has pledged to bring in legislation for a price cap on supermarket essentials before the end of 2026

First Minister John Swinney has pledged to bring in legislation for a price cap on supermarket essentials before the end of 2026

Swinney insists SNP food price cap plan 'unchanged' despite pressure to drop it

Country Land and Business Association

Prime minister urged to scrap inheritance tax changes in October Budget

The event provides opportunities to see potato research and technology in the field

The event provides opportunities to see potato research and technology in the field

Potatoes in Practice

Why Potatoes in Practice was worth the wait

Michelle Campbell, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and Cardonald

Michelle Campbell, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and Cardonald

Scottish Government

MSP welcomes new funding for farmers and crofters

More than £200m has been spent on Scotland’s agricultural digital systems over the past decade

More than £200m has been spent on Scotland’s agricultural digital systems over the past decade

£200m Question

Scottish Government

How much has Scottish Government spent on rural payments platform?

First Minister John Swinney says Scotland should consider whether current land use approaches are helping reduce future wildfire risk

First Minister John Swinney says Scotland should consider whether current land use approaches are helping reduce future wildfire risk

Wildfire debate

Forest and Land Scotland

Swinney calls for land use debate after Scotland's devastating wildfires

Defra confirmed 84 BTV-3 cases across England and Wales during July, with 81 in England and three in Wales

Defra confirmed 84 BTV-3 cases across England and Wales during July, with 81 in England and three in Wales

Bluetongue cases accelerate as farmers urged to strengthen disease defences

NFU Scotland says delays could affect crofters, contractors and rural suppliers relying on planned investment work

NFU Scotland says delays could affect crofters, contractors and rural suppliers relying on planned investment work

NFU Scotland urges action over delayed crofting grant payments

Farmers and crofters who received FFIS funding in the first round will be eligible to apply again when the second round opens this winter

Farmers and crofters who received FFIS funding in the first round will be eligible to apply again when the second round opens this winter

Future Farming Investment Scheme

Successful FFIS applicants eligible for fresh funding this winter

A new Prime Minister, but the countryside wants more than headlines

A new Prime Minister, but the countryside wants more than headlines

King in the North

Will Burnham's government change course for agriculture?

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter has been appointed a parliamentary under-secretary of state at Defra following the prime minister's ministerial reshuffle

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter has been appointed a parliamentary under-secretary of state at Defra following the prime minister's ministerial reshuffle

Defra’s reshuffle

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter joins Defra as Burnham reshapes ministerial team

The report identifies Elmwood as a potential hub for education, research and rural innovation

The report identifies Elmwood as a potential hub for education, research and rural innovation

Systematic failure

Scottish Government

Independent review calls for stronger future at SRUC Elmwood campus

Harriet Cross has written to new Defra secretary Angela Eagle urging immediate action to support Britain's farming sector

Harriet Cross has written to new Defra secretary Angela Eagle urging immediate action to support Britain's farming sector

Farming Support

The Political Field

Harriet Cross urges new Defra secretary Angela Eagle to back British farming

Both politicians met farmers, crofters and rural businesses during this year's Caithness Show

Both politicians met farmers, crofters and rural businesses during this year's Caithness Show

Alistair Carmichael

Caithness Show puts farming challenges firmly in political spotlight

Andy Burnham became the UK's seventh Prime Minister in a decade after taking office at Downing Street

Andy Burnham became the UK's seventh Prime Minister in a decade after taking office at Downing Street

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces widescale Cabinet changes

National Sheep Association (NSA)

New UK farming minister to appear at major sheep event

EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen has defended the future role of the Common Agricultural Policy during budget discussions

EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen has defended the future role of the Common Agricultural Policy during budget discussions

European Parliament

Hansen urges EU leaders to protect future CAP funding

Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's next prime minister on July 20

Andy Burnham is expected to become the UK's next prime minister on July 20

Burnham's choice

Rural leaders present blueprint ahead of Burnham entering Downing Street

The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers says a change in Labour leadership is unlikely to bring immediate benefits for farming

The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers says a change in Labour leadership is unlikely to bring immediate benefits for farming

Same old story?

CAAV doubts Labour leadership change will benefit rural Britain significantly

Scottish Government

Glue trap ban comes into force as Scotland strengthens wildlife protections

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, Alistair Carmichael said food supply chain fairness remains a major concern for farmers and crofters

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, Alistair Carmichael said food supply chain fairness remains a major concern for farmers and crofters

Alistair Carmichael

Carmichael speaks on food supply chain fairness at Royal Highland Show

NFU Scotland made the call during the Royal Highland Show

NFU Scotland made the call during the Royal Highland Show

'Delivery, delivery, deliver' says NFU Scotland

Gillian Martin, cabinet secretary for climate action and rural affairs

Gillian Martin, cabinet secretary for climate action and rural affairs

Scotland seeks common ground on farming and environment

Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservatives' rural affairs spokesman

Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservatives' rural affairs spokesman

Inheritance Tax

Carson says Starmer failed farmers over inheritance tax

Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street

Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation outside 10 Downing Street

Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservatives' rural affairs spokesperson

Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservatives' rural affairs spokesperson

‘Bonkers’ plan

Scottish Government

Scottish Tory MSP calls food price cap proposal 'bonkers'

A High Court ruling has found key parts of England's precision breeding regulations to be unlawful

A High Court ruling has found key parts of England's precision breeding regulations to be unlawful

The Political Field

Regulations for gene-edited crops in England ruled unlawful

Left to right: QMS chair Kate Rowell, First Minister John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin, QMS chief exec Sarah Millar and Minister Jim Fairlie at the QMS breakfast event

Left to right: QMS chair Kate Rowell, First Minister John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin, QMS chief exec Sarah Millar and Minister Jim Fairlie at the QMS breakfast event

Future Farming Investment Scheme

Farmers left in limbo as FFIS details still missing