Scottish Farm Ministers

Following the Scottish Parliamentary Elections on the 5^th May, there is a new team covering agricultural matters.  The Scottish Nationalists continue in government, albeit without an overall majority.  The day before the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced her new cabinet, Richard Lochhead, Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary resigned from his post.  He had been in office for nine years.  The new cabinet has a change of roles and titles.  Fergus Ewing will take up the post of Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity.  Roseanna Cunningham has been appointed Cabinet Secretary for The Environment and Climate Change; the first time this area has had a dedicated Cabinet Secretary.  Richard Lochhead has come under criticism of late for his handling of the beleaguered CAP IT system in Scotland which has led to late 2015 payments and having to extend the submission deadline for 2016.  But after nine years Mr Lochhead has said his priorities have changed and he wants to have more time to spend with his family.