The Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform was a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the Minister did not attend the Scottish Cabinet, but supported the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport who continues to attend the cabinet.Scotland Act (1998), Only those appointed under Section 47 of the Scotland Act "attend" Cabinet. Junior ministers are appointed under Section 49 and may be "present".
The last previous Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform was Màiri McAllan.
Overview
Responsibilities The Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform had specific responsibility for:
land reform & land use Royal Botanic Garden environmental quality natural resources, peatland and flooding Scottish Land Commission Hydro Nation Drinking Water Quality Regulator private water forestry & woodlands Forestry and Land Scotland Scottish Forestry EU Support and related services Forest Research (cross-border services) environmental and climate justice Crown Estate Scotland marine planning national parks and natural heritage plant health GM Since 2021, the Minister shared responsibility for biodiversity with the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
List of office holders Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment NamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst Minister Mairi Gougeon27 June 201821 December 2020Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon Ben Macpherson21 December 202020 May 2021Scottish National Party Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform Màiri McAllan20 May 202129 March 2023Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon
See also Scottish Parliament
References
External links Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment on Scottish Government website