Latest news with #Fairlie
STV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
'Unique in the UK' support scheme gives £6m to upland hill farmers
Hill farmers will benefit from more than £6m that is being paid out as part of a 'unique' support scheme. The Scottish Government has awarded cash to more than 1,000 businesses – with more than 95% of eligible applications having been processed before the end of this month. The payments are part of the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS), which helps those farmers whose animals are on poorer quality, rough grazing land in the hills. Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said Scotland was the only part of the UK to offer this kind of assistance, as he insisted Holyrood ministers are 'committed' to supporting hill farmers. He said: 'We have an incredible sheep sector that is globally renowned, with thousands of jobs dependant on well managed robust hill flocks, often in areas where we want to ensure there is no rural depopulation, as well as the downstream value from efficient distribution and enormous retail potential at home and abroad. 'This payment scheme is unique in the UK and we maintain it because we recognise the value of supporting our upland hill farmers.' With almost all eligible SUSSS applications being processed, Mr Fairlie said: 'We are acutely aware that farmers need to be able to plan their year and it is why we remain committed to directly supporting them, unlike elsewhere in the UK where payments are being stopped. 'Turning the applications around quickly and getting this money into accounts, as per the payment strategy, allows farmers to stabilise cash flow and invest in their businesses.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
‘Unique in the UK' support scheme gives £6m to upland hill farmers
The payments are part of the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme (SUSSS), which helps those farmers whose animals are on poorer quality, rough grazing land in the hills. Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said Scotland was the only part of the UK to offer this kind of assistance, as he insisted Holyrood ministers are 'committed' to supporting hill farmers. READ MORE: He said: 'We have an incredible sheep sector that is globally renowned, with thousands of jobs dependant on well managed robust hill flocks, often in areas where we want to ensure there is no rural depopulation, as well as the downstream value from efficient distribution and enormous retail potential at home and abroad. 'This payment scheme is unique in the UK and we maintain it because we recognise the value of supporting our upland hill farmers.' With almost all eligible SUSSS applications being processed, Mr Fairlie said: 'We are acutely aware that farmers need to be able to plan their year and it is why we remain committed to directly supporting them, unlike elsewhere in the UK where payments are being stopped. 'Turning the applications around quickly and getting this money into accounts, as per the payment strategy, allows farmers to stabilise cash flow and invest in their businesses.'
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Stop punishing ordinary Scots with 'relentless' war on motorists, SNP ministers told
Scotland's motorists face the prospect of even more punishing crackdowns after SNP ministers rejected demands to end the war on drivers. The Scottish Tories lodged a motion to halt the 'anti-car' policies claiming it is punishing already hard-pressed Scots. But the SNP rejected it and insisted they will continue to take action to reduce car use. They faced heavy criticism for viewing motorists as the 'bogeyman' with punishing policies like low emission zones and lowering speed limits, while failing to take enough action to tackle potholes and upgrade major roads. But connectivity minister Jim Fairlie said the claim that there was a war on the motorist was 'reckless' given the environmental crisis, and vowed to continue to take action to reduce transport emissions, 'especially cars'. Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Sue Webber said: 'Motorists are not the enemy, they are parents doing school runs, workers getting to jobs, tradespeople running businesses, and carers reaching the most vulnerable - ordinary people going about their everyday lives. 'Motorists are essential to Scotland's economy and crucial for our connectivity but they are being punished by this SNP Government through punitive low emission zones, controlled parking zones, botched disincentives to use cars, endless roadworks, a constant battle against pothole-riddled roads, and then there is the SNP's ludicrous plans for a 50 mile per hour national speed limit. 'Despite what the SNP say, it is not an exaggeration to describe this as a war against motorists. 'Cars remain the most popular form of transport in Scotland and hard-working Scots feel they are increasingly treated as an afterthought.' She condemned 'relentless' policies which make people's lives harder and more expensive 'without a feasible alternative being available'. She added: 'This insidious drip-drip effect of anti-car policies is hampering our economy and connectivity and punishing already hard-pressed Scots. 'The SNP must stop viewing car drivers as bogeymen and end the war on Scotland's motorists, moving away from these damaging policies.' In a vote on the demands to end the war on motorists, the Tory motion was rejected as an SNP amendment was passed by 64 votes to 52. Mr Fairlie told MSPs: 'The war on motorists language, used out of context to maximise that political traction, failing to consider the sensitivities of such language, is frankly reckless given the wider global considerations. 'The First Minister has spoken about the dangers of the pushback against the climate crisis and the need for unity to make a renewed case for climate action. 'Talking about a war on motorists is unfortunately falling into that trap, but hopefully we can reset the level of our discussion in order to find a solution that I think we can all agree to work to.' He blamed Tory deregulation of buses in the 1980s for 'decades of decline' in public transport, and said people want alternatives to car use. Mr Fairlie added: 'We need to reduce carbon emissions from transport, especially from car use, and the Scottish Government remains committed to reducing Scotland's reliance on cars and encouraging a shift towards public transport and active travel, alongside a shift to electric vehicles.' SNP ministers had to drop a key target to reduce climate emissions by 75 per cent by 2030, which they had previously described as 'world-leading'. Earlier this year, a report by the Auditor General and Accounts Commission said the Scottish Government is 'unlikely' to achieve another target to cut the number of car kilometres travelled by a fifth before 2030 because of a 'lack of leadership'. It also raised concerns about decision to reintroduce peak ScotRail fares and also questioned the impact of 'considerable sums' spent on free bus passes for young people. A 'draft just transition plan for transport' launched by the SNP Government in February proposed further measures to cut car use. It said there is some support in urban areas for reducing the size of parking spaces to disincentivise SUV use, and for considering vehicle size when setting out road charges and other taxation schemes. Mr Fairlie yesterday defended current measures like low emissions zones as 'effective and necessary' in order to protect health. Scottish Labour transport spokesman Claire Baker said: 'There are areas of the Conservative motion worth considering: there has been problematic implementation of LEZ in Glasgow and the state of Scotland's roads and the cost to motorists of potholes. 'But I think it is a stretch to describe this environment as a war on motorists and to seek to create a division on an issue which we as a parliament are all agreed on: the need to reduce emissions to improve air quality and meet our climate change targets.'
Sky News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Scottish minister urged to take action after elderly woman 'broke leg in seagull attack'
An elderly woman broke her leg in a seagull attack and was once again targeted when she returned home from hospital, MSPs have heard. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross told Holyrood the Elgin woman was left "fearful of leaving her home" as he urged the agriculture minister to tackle the "growing problem" of gull attacks across the country. Mr Ross said Moray Council had spent "hundreds of thousands of pounds" on the issue "to no effect". NatureScot told Sky News it was working with several local authorities ahead of the 2025 breeding season in an effort to support a "more coordinated approach to gull management" across a number of town and centre centres, including Elgin. Speaking during topical questions at the Scottish parliament on Wednesday, Mr Ross said: "Elgin councillor Peter Bloomfield told me about a case of an elderly resident who left her bungalow, was attacked by a gull, fell over and broke her leg. "Her carer then came outside and was also attacked by the gull. "When this elderly resident returned home from hospital she was attacked again and then was fearful of leaving her home at all." Rachael Hamilton, deputy leader of the Scottish Tories and MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, added that gulls in Eyemouth had attacked children and were a "blight on businesses who are currently trying to trade in difficult conditions". Mr Ross, who previously described seagulls as a "nuisance at best, and a real danger at worst", urged agriculture minister Jim Fairlie to accept it is a "growing problem" in communities across the nation as he questioned what measures could be taken to tackle the issue. Mr Fairlie responded that all wild birds in the UK and Europe are protected by law "and they should remain so". He highlighted NatureScot can provide licences for lethal control where there are issues of public health safety. Mr Fairlie added: "I appreciate that gulls can be a serious nuisance in urban areas but the answer is not to allow free reign to kill those birds, especially when overall numbers of gulls, taking natural and urban populations together, are actually in decline." To alleviate the issue, the minister urged local authorities and property owners to do more to deter gulls from nesting on their properties. He added: "I absolutely get the fact that urban gulls are a problem but killing them and giving licences out willy-nilly is not the answer." In August last year, the Scottish SPCA issued an appeal after a seagull was rescued from a glue trap in Aberdeen. The animal welfare charity has long been opposed to the use of glue traps, which are trays coated with a sticky adhesive typically used to ensnare rodents and animals classed as vermin. In 2024, the Scottish parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill - making it illegal to buy or possess the traps. The use of glue traps is also banned in England and Wales, but the sale is not. NatureScot accepted gulls can "sometimes cause issues in our towns and cities" but its licensing team was on hand to provide advice and assistance. The Scottish government agency added: "This can include issuing same-day licences in cases where elderly or vulnerable people are being impacted by dive bombing gulls nesting on roofs." Last year, NatureScot updated its guidance for gull licensing in response to "significant and serious declines" in gull populations. Common gull, great black-backed gull and herring gull are now all red-listed species of conservation concern in the UK, while lesser black-backed gull and black-headed gull are amber-listed. NatureScot said the declines are attributed to factors such as changes in food availability and land use, as well as recent outbreaks of avian flu. NatureScot added: "Ahead of the 2025 gull breeding season, we are working with several local authorities to look at how we can support a more coordinated approach to gull management across a number of town and city centres, including Elgin. "The focus is on advising on preventative measures, deterrents and guidance for local authority staff, business owners and the public, with licenced control measures being used as a last resort when there is a risk to public health and safety. "We also provide advice on management plans to ensure they will be effective in tackling gull issues. "While individuals can and should continue to take action to deter gulls on land and buildings within their control, a wider coordinated approach will often be more effective."
Sky News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Elgin woman 'broke leg in seagull attack and was targeted again on return from hospital'
An elderly woman broke her leg in a seagull attack and was once again targeted when she returned home from hospital, MSPs have heard. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross told Holyrood the Elgin woman was left "fearful of leaving her home" as he urged the agriculture minister to tackle the "growing problem" of gull attacks across the country. Mr Ross said Moray Council had spent "hundreds of thousands of pounds" on the issue "to no effect". NatureScot told Sky News it was working with several local authorities ahead of the 2025 breeding season in an effort to support a "more coordinated approach to gull management" across a number of town and centre centres, including Elgin. Speaking during topical questions at the Scottish parliament on Wednesday, Mr Ross said: "Elgin councillor Peter Bloomfield told me about a case of an elderly resident who left her bungalow, was attacked by a gull, fell over and broke her leg. "Her carer then came outside and was also attacked by the gull. "When this elderly resident returned home from hospital she was attacked again and then was fearful of leaving her home at all." Rachael Hamilton, deputy leader of the Scottish Tories and MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, added that gulls in Eyemouth had attacked children and were a "blight on businesses who are currently trying to trade in difficult conditions". Mr Ross, who previously described seagulls as a "nuisance at best, and a real danger at worst", urged agriculture minister Jim Fairlie to accept it is a "growing problem" in communities across the nation as he questioned what measures could be taken to tackle the issue. Mr Fairlie responded that all wild birds in the UK and Europe are protected by law "and they should remain so". He highlighted NatureScot can provide licences for lethal control where there are issues of public health safety. Mr Fairlie added: "I appreciate that gulls can be a serious nuisance in urban areas but the answer is not to allow free reign to kill those birds, especially when overall numbers of gulls, taking natural and urban populations together, are actually in decline." To alleviate the issue, the minister urged local authorities and property owners to do more to deter gulls from nesting on their properties. He added: "I absolutely get the fact that urban gulls are a problem but killing them and giving licences out willy-nilly is not the answer." In August last year, the Scottish SPCA issued an appeal after a seagull was rescued from a glue trap in Aberdeen. The animal welfare charity has long been opposed to the use of glue traps, which are trays coated with a sticky adhesive typically used to ensnare rodents and animals classed as vermin. In 2024, the Scottish parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill - making it illegal to buy or possess the traps. The use of glue traps is also banned in England and Wales, but the sale is not. NatureScot accepted gulls can "sometimes cause issues in our towns and cities" but its licensing team was on hand to provide advice and assistance. The Scottish government agency added: "This can include issuing same-day licences in cases where elderly or vulnerable people are being impacted by dive bombing gulls nesting on roofs." Last year, NatureScot updated its guidance for gull licensing in response to "significant and serious declines" in gull populations. Common gull, great black-backed gull and herring gull are now all red-listed species of conservation concern in the UK, while lesser black-backed gull and black-headed gull are amber-listed. NatureScot said the declines are attributed to factors such as changes in food availability and land use, as well as recent outbreaks of avian flu. NatureScot added: "Ahead of the 2025 gull breeding season, we are working with several local authorities to look at how we can support a more coordinated approach to gull management across a number of town and city centres, including Elgin. "The focus is on advising on preventative measures, deterrents and guidance for local authority staff, business owners and the public, with licenced control measures being used as a last resort when there is a risk to public health and safety. "We also provide advice on management plans to ensure they will be effective in tackling gull issues. "While individuals can and should continue to take action to deter gulls on land and buildings within their control, a wider coordinated approach will often be more effective."
