Only a handful of farmers inspected in 2011 breached the read rates for sheep electronic ID (EID) tags - and very few received any form of penalty. Of the 650 flocks inspected, just 64 received any form of cross compliance penalty - 0.3 per cent of Scottish sheep producers.
The Finance Secretary today called on the Chancellor to take action, through an immediate stimulus to capital investment, to address the UK double-dip recession and prevent Westminster's economic policy from further hampering Scotland's economic recovery. Mr Swinney's comments follow the quarterly State of the Economy report published today by the Scottish Government's Chief Economist, Dr Gary Gillespie, which provides both an update on recent developments in the Scottish economy and on outlook of future growth prospects.
The Crown Estate today opened an industry engagement exercise to shape the future of wave and tidal leasing in the UK. With 37 sites leased to date, the UK already has a global lead in the wave and tidal industry and the exercise aims to help the industry grow further.
The Highland Council is inviting applications from voluntary groups to operate community transport projects for the 2013 - 2014 financial year. 19 voluntary groups are coming to the end of their current funding agreements and they will now be able to apply for new revenue funding.
Commenting on the Department for Environment and Climate Change (DECC) announcement of new Renewable Obligation banding levels, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "I welcome the UK Government's decision to follow Scotland's lead and set its own onshore wind band at 0.9 ROCS, but I am concerned at the UK Government's decision to only set this band for one year, until 2014, pending the outcome of yet another review. "The onshore wind sector needs certainty to enable it to make investment decisions, which is why last week the First Minister wrote to Ed Davey to indicate that the Scottish Government will keep its onshore wind band at 0.9 ROCS for the next four years.
A radical review of land reform will deliver a more successful Scotland with stronger communities and economic growth, First Minister Alex Salmond said on Wednesday 24th July 2012. Speaking in Skye where a summer cabinet meeting was convened, Mr Salmond revealed details of a new Land Reform Review Group that will oversee a wide ranging review of land reform in Scotland.
The Scottish Government intend to legislate to allow same sex marriage, it was announced today. However, legislation will be accompanied by important protections for freedom of speech and religion.
Police express frustration over the number of speeding drivers who continue to ignore warnings. Northern Constabulary's Head of Road Policing has expressed frustration that many motorists are continuing to speed and put other road users lives at risk, despite repeated warnings.
Europe's leading car hire provider Europcar is to open Wick Airport's first car hire location, offering improved service for passengers. Airport Station Manager William Sutherland said the new car hire location would improve the airport's appeal to business users and inbound visitors.
Sightings of whales and dolphins have been coming fast and furious this summer in the north as many more are being reported than usual. the Se Watch Foundation has been highlighting the sightings ahead of their annual whale watch that runs on 27th, 28th and 29th July at many points in the UK.
With more graduates than ever finding it tough to get into the workplace a new scheme to help them get a foothold into business, whilst at the same time helping Highland companies get the right kind of help to grow, launches this month. The Highland Council Graduate Placement Programme is a work placement scheme being delivered by Business Gateway Highlands' Recruitment Service.
Highland Councillors who are members of the Planning Review body rejected the application to extend the Forss wind farm with anther five turbines. Councillors on the review body visited the site on Thursday 19th July 2012 and decided that the planners had previously made the correct decision based on the intrusion to the views in the area.
Police seize commercial cannabis cultivation at a house at Gollanfield, between Nairn and Inverness, A96. Police have seized a cannabis cultivation with an estimated street value of £100,000 from a property just off the A96 at Gollanfield, between Inverness and Nairn.
Enabling Activities: Enabling those who are currently out of work to find employment, helping school students to identify paths towards employment and supporting those seeking transition opportunities within the current workforce were the three drivers for a meeting I convened this week with colleagues from North Highland College, Skills Development Scotland, Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Highland Council's Employability team. The discussion was to progress plans for an event that promotes access to skills opportunities in new and emerging sectors with relevance to the area.
Far North MP John Thurso has been appointed to the UK Parliamentary commission on standards in banking established to investigate the unfolding LIBOR interest rate fixing scandal and the culture behind it. John Thurso, who sits on the influential Select Committee, is one of five MPs from all the major parties who will be looking into standards in the banking industry.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd, (July, 18th) sold 1,308 store cattle at the Anniversary show and sale. The Judge, Mr D.
Council to run sessions highlighting changes to the welfare benefit system. The Highland Council will be running a number of awareness raising sessions in Skye and Lochalsh, Ullapool and Dingwall over the next few weeks advising people on how changes to the new Welfare Reform may affect them.
9,000 employment boost does not disguise need for UK policy change. The First Minister today called on the UK Government to urgently stimulate economic growth and jobs following the publication of new Scottish GDP and labour market figures.
Applications are being invited for a new £75,000 fund, launched today by Zero Waste Scotland, to help transform local areas blighted by illegal flytipping. Grants of between £500 and £10,000 will be available to community groups, landowners and land managers in the Highland area, who are consistently battling the problem of unlawfully dumped waste, such as furniture, TVs, white goods and garden and commercial waste.
