Mairi Gougeon

The former Rural Affairs Secretary said the SNP had 'self-destructed' and 'turned its back' on farmers

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on a letter sent by the Efra Committee chair, Alistair Carmichael to the Farming Minister calling on the Government to focus on five key areas to improve fairness and resilience in the food supply chain. Later today Mr Carmichael will be presenting his food supply chain fairness bill in Parliament. And the absence of rural crime in the Government's Crime and Policing Bill has been branded 'unacceptable' by a Liberal Democrat MP

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown reports on yesterday's emergency roundtable meeting on SFI, with the Farming Minister criticised for providing lack of clarity on the what the future redesign of SFI will look like, and for showing a lack of empathy for those farmers who missed out on SFI. She also reports on farmers defending Scottish Minister Mairi Gougeon and criticising the level abuse she received online, as she announced she is stepping down from her post after more that half of her life in politics. And don't forget to sign up to our free webinar on Inheritance Tax ( March 27), where an expert panel will be unpicking any updates from the Spring Statement the day before

Have 'keyboard warriors' played a role in influencing Ms Gougeon's decision to stand down from politics in 2026?

Jim Walker, chair of the Suckler Beef Climate Group Programme Board, said the Scottish Government's system for supporting farmers was ‘not fit for purpose' and that a decline in cattle numbers had placed a 'burden' on farmers

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has confirmed she will not be standing as an SNP candidate in next year's Scottish Parliamentary elections. Has she served Scottish farmers well during her time in Government?

Scottish First Minister John Swinney unequivocally denied that lynx wildcats would be reintroduced into Scotland at NFUS Conference, yet rewilding groups say 61% of survey respondents would like to see their reintroduction

The Natural Environment Bill (Scotland) was proposed in Holyrood on February 19. It could help Scottish Ministers set legally binding targets to reduce carbon emissions and protect biodiversity. But will farmers support the proposed piece of legislation?

What will happen during the landmark two-day event for Scottish farmers and crofters?

NFU Scotland held rallies and demonstrations across the country calling for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to consult with the sector on changes to Agricultural Property Relief