Rural economy minister Fergus Ewing to deliver keynote speech at Royal Highland Show rural business seminar

Fergus Ewing MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, will deliver the keynote speech at Shepherd and Wedderburn’s flagship annual Royal Highland Show rural business seminar. 

The seminar, now in its sixth year, is this year themed: Resilience in the face of uncertainty – how does Scottish agriculture move on from here? 

An expert panel will discuss topics including industry disruption and resilience, the ever-changing political landscape, and the potential impact from immigration reform. 

Mr Ewing will discuss the major challenges affecting the agriculture sector, given long-running and ongoing political uncertainty, and measures implemented by the industry and the Scottish Government to improve wider sector resilience. 

Other speakers at this year’s invitation-only event include political commentator and public relations consultant Peter Duncan, a former Conservative MP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale and former Shadow Scottish Secretary, who will provide an analysis of the latest Brexit and political developments and what they mean for the rural economy. 

Jacqueline Moore, Shepherd and Wedderburn’s head of immigration, will present on the current immigration landscape and how that impacts rural employers, how employment rights for EU nationals will change in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and, looking ahead, what rural employers need to know about future post-Brexit immigration reform. 

Lord Lothian, President of the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), will open with a welcome to invited guests and Shepherd and Wedderburn partner and head of rural Hamish Lean will introduce the panel and chair the question and answer sessions. 

Hamish Lean said: “This promises to be an extremely informative and insightful seminar delivered by a panel who have a deep knowledge of the challenging issues currently facing Scottish Agriculture. We’re delighted to be hosting such a topical discussion.”

The breakfast seminar will be held in the President’s Pavilion at the Royal Highland Show from 8:30am to 11am on Friday, 21 June.