Rural services

This year 

Scotland's Census is now live and you should complete it by 20th March - you can easily do it online on the Scotland's Census website.

It is important that you contribute to the Census as the information you provide will be vital to help the Scottish Government make important decisions that affect people’s lives and their communities. 

On Thursday 3rd March the achievements of Scotland’s top land-based and aquaculture trainees were celebrated at Lantra Scotland’s ALBAS (Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills).

The Scottish Government published its Vision for Scottish Agriculture which sets out plans for Scotland to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

A new National Strategy for Economic Transformation, underpinned by detailed analysis of Scotland’s economic strengths and weaknesses, has been published.

The strategy contains over 70 actions across five key priority programmes that have been identified as having the greatest potential to deliver economic growth that significantly outperforms the last decade within the current constitutional arrangements.

People who are part of, or wishing to enter a land or nature based industry, can apply for funding support to gain practical skills required to respond to the climate change challenge.

Supported by Scottish Government funding of up to £250,000 and administered by Lantra Scotland, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Practical Training Fund is open to applications from people aged 13 and over.

Field animal health and welfare functions currently delivered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Scotland are to be replaced by a new Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS).

Speaking at the NFUS AGM, the Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon gave the green light to the new service, which will be developed within the lifetime of the current Parliament.

Scottish agricultural charity, RSABI, is reminding people worried about increasing energy bills that they may be eligible for “Help for Heating” grants. 

Following the announcement confirming an energy price cap increase from April, the Scottish farming charity is urging people concerned about rising energy costs to get in touch. 

Funding available for private sector and third sector centres to help with running costs and enable staff to deliver more outdoor learning for schools.

The funding brings the Scottish Government’s support for the sector during the pandemic to £4.5 million.