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James McGregor Fairlie is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity since February 2024.[1] Fairlie has also served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire since May 2021.
Jim Fairlie | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2021 | |
| Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity | |
| Assumed office 20 February 2024[1] | |
| First Minister | Humza Yousaf John Swinney |
| Preceded by | Fiona Hyslop (Transport) |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Roseanna Cunningham |
| Majority | 1,948 (4.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James McGregor Fairlie |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
In 1996, as a sheep farmer, Fairlie launched Perth Farmers' Market.[2] His father Jim Fairlie was a senior member of the SNP for several decades and stood as a candidate without success in several elections; his brother Andrew (died 2019) was a renowned chef.[3]
Fairlie was a co-founder of Farmers4Yes, a pro-Scottish independence campaign group.[4]
In September 2020, Fairlie announced his intention to seek election to the Scottish Parliament.[3]
On 8 May 2021 he was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire.[5] In February 2023, he issued a statement explaining that he would continue to support Kate Forbes in her campaign to become leader of the SNP, despite disagreeing with her views on social political issues like marriage equality and abortion rights.[6]
In February 2024, the First Minister announced that Fairlie would join the Scottish Government as Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity.[7] The Scottish Parliament voted on 20 February to approve the appointment.[1]
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