18 August, 2007

RURAL affairs secretary Richard Lochhead has promised to chair a public meeting in the Hamnavoe Hall when he visits Shetland next week.

The meeting is part of the new Scottish Executive's 'Listening to Scotland' initiative, designed to hear the views of the electorate and answer questions.

During his two day visit to Shetland next Wednesday and Thursday, Mr Lochhead will be meeting with representatives from the agriculture industry to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing foot and mouth crisis.

He will also meet with the fishing industry to discuss the forthcoming end of year fisheries council and the industry's wishes to in increase the annual cod quota

The secretary will also visit social enterprise COPE, the Lerwick district heating scheme and Blue Shell Marine, in Brae.

On Wednesday night Mr Lochhead will attend the annual general meeting of the Shetland branch of the Scottish Nationalist Party.