Good morning. The crisis that has been caused by Covid-19 has exposed just how fragile the global food supply chain is. We need to produce our own food and we need to ensure an equitable and regular food supply across Scotland. That need has never been clearer or more manifest.
To help all aspects of the food supply chain, we have, over the past eight weeks, introduced more than 30 measures. We have provided £2.3 billion of support for business, including the rural economy. That support includes £100 million for self-employed people and viable micro and small and medium-sized businesses.
We have put in place specific support schemes for seafood and fishing. To date, they have paid out more than £11.5 million, which is the largest amount that has been paid out to fishing anywhere in the UK.
For farming, we are ensuring that farmers, crofters and land managers get the support payments to which they are entitled and have earned on schedule. To date, we have made £357 million-worth of basic and greening payments, and we have paid out £86 million in historical convergence payments. In addition to that, we have started making payments under the less favoured areas scheme, the beef suckler support scheme and, now, the sheep support scheme. Further, the Farm Advisory Service is offering webinars as well as online advice and support.
We are also contributing to the recently announced marketing campaign by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and Dairy UK. The campaign encourages more people across these islands to buy more dairy products, notably milk.
Mairi Gougeon—the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment—and I regularly meet key stakeholders. We are listening and we are responding. Government officials are working with the horticulture, fruit and vegetable and livestock sectors to develop specific social distancing guidelines.
This crisis has exposed the rural economy’s resilience, creativity and innovation. Officials are engaging every day with our island communities, rural communities and the private sector to monitor and address emerging issues, particularly in relation to food supply.
Scotland Food & Drink has created an online hub connecting more than 260 Scottish food and drink suppliers directly to consumers. Supermarkets and retailers are promoting and providing more shelf space for Scottish produce, which we welcome. Further, we are seeing local promotion of locally caught seafood and fish through the Fish on Friday initiative and harbourside sales.
The negative impact for Scotland’s rural economy is significant, deep and long term, but the challenges that are created by this crisis are being addressed head on. As the rural economy secretary, I am doing all that I can, together with my officials, to provide support and help throughout these most difficult times.
I am happy to answer questions.