As The Scottish Farmer went to press, the new First Minister, Humza Yousaf completed his reshuffle and unveiled the Cabinet.

Kate Forbes was widely reported to have been offered the Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands portfolio, but opted to return to the back benches.

Instead, current incumbent, Mairi Gougeon, is to remain in the Rural Affairs role, while Mairi McAllan, former Minister for Environment and Land Reform, joins the Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and land reform.

The Cabinet of 10 sees the economy established in its own right for the first time. Five of the new team are aged under 40 and for the first time, a majority are women.

Commenting on the reshuffle, NFUS President Martin Kennedy said: "I welcome the reappointment of Mairi Gougeon MSP to the role of Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands and her expanded brief that now includes Land Reform.

"The Cabinet Secretary has regularly engaged with the industry and has a very good grasp of the role our sector plays and the many complicated and technical issues around it.

"Since August 2021, I have co-chaired the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board with the Cabinet Secretary to oversee the vital Scottish Government decisions being made to help farmers and crofters deliver on the three top priorities of food production, climate change mitigation and biodiversity enhancement. The design and implementation of this new agricultural policy, at which food production must be front and centre, will be critical and I welcome the continuity that the Cabinet Secretary’s reappointment brings.

“I also welcome the promotion of Mairi McAllan MSP to the role of Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition. She has shown great willingness to engage with the sector and given the fundamental role that only active farming and crofting can play in both helping meet climate ambitions and acting as the catalyst for sustainable economic growth, we look forward to continuing that engagement.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Cabinet team I have unveiled reflects the priorities that we will pursue as a government – including tackling child poverty, improving public services and building a fairer, greener economy.

“Ahead of my appointment as First Minister, I have committed myself to a radical, ambitious and progressive policy agenda for Scotland – and I know that this team is the right one to deliver it.

“I want to thank those Ministers departing government for their leadership over the last few years, through many storms not of our making – the economic damage caused by Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, austerity and the cost of living crisis.

"Those ministers – led so ably by Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney – leave a strong legacy for the new team to build on.

“I have made clear my belief Scotland’s government should look as much as possible like the people we represent. As well as being the first ever First Minister from a minority ethnic background, I am pleased that a record number of women have agreed to serve, as well as a significant blend of younger and more experienced members. That said, every single appointment has been made on merit.

“Every single person in this government is clear that it is for the people of Scotland to determine their constitutional future – no one else – and we will work to ensure that they are given that right. As we make the case for Scottish independence, we will continue to govern well and demonstrate to the people of Scotland the benefits of decisions about their lives being taken here in Scotland.”

The new Cabinet is:

• Shona Robison, the new Deputy First Minister, will take on the Finance portfolio, including responsibility for the Scottish Budget.

• Michael Matheson becomes the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.

• Jenny Gilruth joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

• Màiri McAllan joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition.

• Neil Gray joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.

• Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.

• Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

• Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

• Angela Constance returns to Cabinet as the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.