WATCH: New ScotGov position for Inverness & Nairn MSP
Fergus Ewing replaces Richard Lochhead in new role of Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy
The MSP for Inverness and Nairn has been appointed the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy.
Fergus Ewing replaces Moray MSP Richard Lochhead who resigned earlier from the former position of Rural Affairs Secretary.
Our Political Correspondent Alan Smith was in Edinburgh at the First Minister's official residence, Bute House...
Mr Lochhead earlier told Nicola Sturgeon that he needed to "change the priorities" and wants to spend more time with his wife Fiona, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, as well and his children.
ABOVE: Moray MSP Richard Lochhead earlier resigned as Rural Affairs Secretary | © Danny Lawson/ PA Wire/Press Association Images
In a change to cabinet briefs and titles, Fergus Ewing MSP has been appointed Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity while the new Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform is Roseanna Cunningham MSP.
With further appointments to come, ‘food’ has yet to be specifically named as part of a ministerial brief.
Richard Lochhead had previously come under fire for his handling of the European Union farming subsidy payments crisis, after Scottish farmers faced lengthy delays for the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies following problems with a £178million IT system set up to administer them.
Speaking on the appointments, NFU Scotland’s President Allan Bowie said: "The redesigning of roles on matters that affect the Scottish rural economy and the environment brings a fresh dynamic.
"We look forward to engaging with Fergus and Roseanna and working with them on behalf of farmers and crofters.
"Their appointments come at a hugely challenging time for the industry. Volatile markets across every sector mean that we have seen farm incomes fall three-years in a row and the huge problems encountered by Scottish Government in delivering new CAP support blew a huge hole in Scotland’s rural economy this spring.
"But, with both Ministers, we want to move forward and share the vision for Scottish farming and crofting that we mapped out in our manifesto for the election as the new parliament beds in.
"There is much unfinished business to be done in delivering outstanding support payments to all farmers before the payment window closes in June.
"As a Union, we will be looking for the new Government team to provide a guarantee that there will be no repeat of the IT debacle seen in 2015.
"A clear timetable for support payment delivery in the future must be set and adhered to and proper accountability needs to be established."
BELOW: Scottish Government cabinet reshuffle appointments...