Yousaf’s failure to appoint junior rural minister a ‘snub’

Concerns have been raised about new Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf’s failure to appoint a junior rural minister, given the heavy workload of the department.

Eleanor Kay, senior agriculture and climate change adviser at Scottish Land and Estates, said the fact that rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon had no deputy meant there was a risk the farming sector would be “snubbed” if there were diary conflicts that required an official presence.

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“When the first minister announced his cabinet and junior ministers, it was particularly disappointing to see that the rural affairs, land reform and islands portfolio was the only one that had no junior ministers,” she added.

“With so much policy to develop and legislation to deliver by 2026, it does not seem possible that a cabinet secretary alone can have the flexibility to cover the many demands on time to address sector concerns.”

The comments come shortly after Mr Yousaf unveiled his “New Leadership – A Fresh Start” paper, which included a commitment to publish a Rural Delivery Plan, a Remote, Rural and Island Housing Action Plan and a response to the Land-Based Learning Review by 2026.

Ms Kay told Farmers Weekly the paper and the new cabinet provided the first minister with an opportunity to show how important farming and rural Scotland is to him.

“The initial impression is that it doesn’t look as if it is,” she said.

“But there are positive signs. The first minister had made it clear he wants to take a fresh approach to business and rural affairs. We welcome this and plan to take him up on this commitment at every opportunity in the months ahead.”