The Rural Affairs portfolio has become a key area of criticism for Scotland’s new First Minister.

No sooner had Humza Yousaf been given the keys to Bute House, but his widely reported offer of the Rural Affairs role to leadership rival Mairi McAllan was snubbed.

Presented as a demotion by the media, the former Finance Secretary chose instead to leave government and go to the back benches.

While the reappointment of Mairi Gougeon to the rural role was broadly welcomed by senior industry figures, Tory rural affairs spokesperson Rachael Hamilton said: “It looks as though Mairi Gougeon is only remaining as Rural Affairs Secretary due to Humza Yousaf’s first choice for the role- Kate Forbes- turning it down.

“Despite representing a rural constituency, Kate Forbes decided that being offered to take charge of the rural brief was an insult.

“While that rejection only served to highlight another senior SNP figures’ attitude towards rural issues, Mairi Gougeon must now seize her shot at redemption.

“Having already been Rural Affairs Secretary for nearly two years, she is well aware of the major challenges facing her.

“The onus is on her to now urgently press ahead with delivering an agriculture bill that final gives farmers, crofters and the sector as a whole clarity on what future support will look like.”

Ms Hamilton also warned: “The Rural Affairs Secretary must also not allow herself to be influenced by her friends in the Greens who continue to attack our rural way of life and aren’t interested in the unique needs of our rural communities.”

With the election of Mr Yousaf, the Bute House agreement – the coalition deal between the SNP and Greens looks to be secure.

READ MORE: Gougeon retains Rural Affairs role in new look Scottish Cabinet

The agreement gives two ministerial slots to the Greens, currently filled by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, but looked to be on a shoogly peg during the leadership contest.

However, the deal’s survival drew withering criticism from former rural secretary, Fergus Ewing who urged the First Minister to scrap it.

Mr Ewing, popular among many in the agri sector, was dropped from the role by Nicola Sturgeon in 2021 and has since become outspoken on a number of issues.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Ewing described the deal as “the green tail wagging the yellow dog” and said the SNP has “allied ourselves to a small group of fringe extremists that want to dismantle our economy, put hundreds of thousands on the dole and basically close down rural Scotland.

“Have you ever heard any Green MSP have a single good word to say about our farmers who put the food on our tables and fishermen who put their lives at risk for our fish suppers? I haven’t”.

In addition to the Cabinet team, the full range of Ministers has now been unveiled.

Key appointments include Green MSP Lorna Slater as Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity. Ms Slater will also work alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition.

Fellow Green MSP Patrick Harvie is Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights and will also work alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

Aberdeen MSP Kevin Stewart will support Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition Màiri McAllan as Transport Minister.

Angus MSP Graeme Dey returns to a Ministerial post as Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans.

Opinion

This has not been the most auspicious start to Humza Yousaf’s term as First Minister. Despite the promised ‘big tent’ approach, just one of his rival’s supporters has made it into Government.

Mairi Gougeon’s return to the rural role brings some continuity at a crucial time for government in its apparently increasing involvement in agriculture and the rural economy, but whoever took the portfolio reins would have faced the same challenges.

The responses to the public consultation on the Agri Bill, which itself drew some industry criticism, has yet to be published.

When questioned on the timescale this week, the Scottish Government responded that: “A public consultation on proposals for a new Bill, “Delivering our Vision for Scottish Agriculture. Proposals for a new Agriculture Bill” was launched on 29 August.

“The consultation was extended and closed on 5 December 2022.

“We received a good response to the consultation, from a range of stakeholders and from members of the public across Scotland, including wide-ranging attendance at the 14 public consultation events held.

“We are giving careful consideration to the diverse range of views received.

“Analysis of all consultation responses and feedback from all events is ongoing.

“The Scottish Government aims to publish a report on the findings of the Agriculture Bill consultation in Spring 2023”.

Call me old-fashioned, but the lambs in the fields and the daffodils growing outside my window are usually good indicators of Spring, so we can assume that publication is imminent.

This of course tightens the timeframe of publishing the Agri Bill itself which is due to take place this year and that’s before it even goes through the legislative meat grinder of becoming an Act.

There is also sector concern at a perception of slow policy development and criticism that Government communications with the agri sector is lacking – neither of which is good for industry confidence at a time of continued uncertainty.