MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
It has been my privilege to be the Minister for rural affairs since the introduction of devolved government in Scotland in 1999. We published our first comprehensive statement of rural policy, Rural Scotland: A New Approach, the following year. That placed rural Scotland at the heart of the Executive's policies and priorities. At the same time, we recognised the need to involve people at all levels in tackling problems and in taking advantage of the opportunities which rural Scotland offers and represents.
A great deal has happened since then - at the international, national and more local levels. Much has been achieved: new challenges have emerged. Rural Scotland stands at an important point in its evolution. It is important to take stock - to reflect on what has been done, what more needs to be done and what our collective priorities for action ought to be to ensure that rural Scotland fulfils its potential.
This document reflects that stocktake. Importantly, it also reflects discussions with a group of leaders from diverse rural interests. I am grateful to them for giving generously of their time and opinions. This helps build towards a shared view of the issues and points up for a future administration, the actions which they considerare most important to rural Scotland and its people; and to help ensure and enhance rural Scotland's contribution to national well-being.
I am enormously proud of rural Scotland, its international reputation and its contribution to the well-being of our nation and its people. Together, naturally, we can make it better still.
ROSS FINNIE MSP
Minister for Environment and Rural Development