Local MSP Rob Gibson welcomes Richard Lochhead’s reappointment
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Rob Gibson (right) with cabinet secretary for rural affairs Richard Lochhead (left) and Ross-shire farmer Hector Munro during the recent election campaign.
CAITHNESS, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson has warmly welcomed the announcement that Richard Lochhead is to be reappointed cabinet secretary for rural affairs.
Mr Gibson described it as "great news" for rural Scotland.
"I have worked closely with Richard during my time in parliament, none more so than when I served with him as his parliamentary liaison officer, and previously on the environment and rural development committee between 2003 and 2007. There I saw his great understanding of a whole range of rural issues and, in particular, farming and fishing so it was no surprise in 2007 when he was given the rural affairs post.
"In that post he has distinguished himself and shown great leadership for all parts of rural Scotland. During the election campaign he was shown tremendous goodwill by many people and organisations in the rural sector, such as Angus McCall, of the Scottish Tenant Farmers’ Association, Lady Claire Macdonald and Ross-shire farmer Hector Munro."
Mr Gibson added: "Rural Scotland faces many challenges, however, there are also major opportunities in the next five years. The SNP Government is committed to rural Scotland and hopes to keep developing it to its full potential. With Richard Lochhead back at the helm then I feel the future is good.
"Under the last SNP Government, with Richard as cabinet secretary, Scottish food and drink sales increased by 30 per cent and a major theme for the next five years will be job creation and growing our food and drink sector to £12.5 billion. Food and drink producers across Caithness, Sutherland and Ross will have an excellent chance to contribute to that goal."