Former farmer and Perthshire MSP Jim Fairlie vows to improve rural lives following Agriculture Minister appointment

Former sheep farmer and Perthshire MSP Jim Fairlie said he is “honoured” to have been appointed the new Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity by First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Mr Fairlie – who previously ran Kindrum Park Farm in Logiealmond – pledged to use his new platform to help improve the lives of those in rural communities.

The move is part of a mini-reshuffle triggered by the resignation of beleaguered health secretary Michael Matheson ahead of the publication of a report into an £11,000 data roaming bill on his parliamentary iPad.

Another minister, Elena Whitham, also resigned from her role as Drugs and Alcohol Minister due to health reasons.

Speaking after his appointment as a Scottish Government Minister, Mr Fairlie said: “I am honoured to have been chosen by the First Minister to take on this role and I am well aware of the challenges ahead.

“Whilst my new role will take up a considerable amount of my time, that won’t prevent me from getting out and about across Perth and Kinross to undertake my duties as constituency MSP.

“Going forward, I will be involved in steering the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill through Holyrood.

“This is a vital piece of legislation which will provide ongoing financial support to our rural communities, including farming, forestry, and rural development support.

“Alongside this, I have already taken over work on steering the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill through Holyrood.

First Minister Mouza Yousaf was quizzed over the resignation of Scotland’s health secretary Michael Matheson

“I spent a great deal of time in committee scrutinising the bill, so it is quite a unique position to now be the minister responsible for it.

“Although I was born and raised a Letham boy, I have been passionate about rural affairs from a very young age.

“I then made my career in the rural hills of Perthshire before being elected to represent this area in our national parliament.

“I look forward using this experience in my new role and I look forward to working with all interested stakeholders going forward.”

Born in Letham in Perth, Jim began his career as a shepherd before becoming a hill farmer. He then went on to run a successful family food and events catering business, which he gave up to run for election.

He was elected as the MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire in 2021 following the retiral of veteran Perthshire MSP Roseanna Cunningham.

Speaking after the reshuffle, First Minister Humza Yousaf, said: “I am delighted to welcome Jim Fairlie to government, who brings a wealth of business and rural knowledge to his new role as minister for agriculture and connectivity.”

He later added: “I’m bringing Jim in because he’s exceptionally capable and really well-liked by agri stakeholders and has immense experience in relation to agriculture and farming – he’s going to be a great addition to the government team.”

Former finance secretary Kate Forbes called it a “first class appointment”.