Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

"Rural Affairs Secretary" redirects here. For the UK position, see Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For the Welsh position, see Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs (Wales).
Scotland
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Scottish Gaelic: Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Cùisean Dùthchail, Ath-leasachadh an Fhearainn agus nan Eilean
Incumbent
Mairi Gougeon
since 20 May 2021
Scottish Government
Scottish Cabinet
StyleCabinet Secretary
(within parliament)
Rural Affairs Secretary
(informal)
Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary
(outwith Scotland)
Member of
Reports toScottish Parliament
SeatEdinburgh
AppointerFirst Minister
Inaugural holderRoss Finnie
Minister for Rural Affairs
Formation19 May 1999
DeputyMinister for Agriculture and Connectivity
Salary£118,511 per annum (2023)[1]
(including £67,662 MSP salary)
Websitewww.gov.scot

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Scottish Gaelic: Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Cùisean Dùthchail, Ath-leasachadh an Fhearainn agus nan Eilean), commonly referred to as the Rural Affairs Secretary (Scottish Gaelic: Rùnaire nan Cùisean Dùthchail), is a position in the Scottish Government Cabinet. The incumbent Cabinet Secretary is Mairi Gougeon, who was appointed in May 2021.

The Cabinet Secretary is responsible for rural Scotland and its islands, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, food and drink, and crofting. The Cabinet Secretary is assisted by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, who also supports the Cabinet Secretary for Transport.[2]

  1. ^ "MSP salaries". parliament.scot. The Scottish Parliament. 5 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands". 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.