Bird Flu (Suspected Case in Fife)
To ask the Scottish Government what restrictions it is implementing in response to the suspected case of bird flu in Fife. (S4T-01269)
Laboratory tests have revealed that a very mild form of H5N1 avian influenza virus has been identified in a broiler breeder’s flock near Dunfermline. It is quite distinct from the highly pathogenic form of H5N1 that has caused significant problems over the past decade or so around the world.
Robust action was immediately taken following the reporting of the initial suspicion to minimise any potential risks from the birds to either public or animal health. As a result, the farm is under restrictions and the local area is subject to the control of bird movements and gatherings by means of a 1km temporary control zone.
The eggs supplied by the unit are not for human consumption but are sent to a company hatchery, which is also under similar movement restrictions. No eggs laid during the period in which the flock is believed to have been infected have hatched.
A thorough investigation to identify the likely infection source is under way. All our actions are in line with requirements under European Union law. A cull of the birds on the premises will be started not later than tomorrow morning. I have been advised by the professionals of both Health Protection Scotland and Food Standards Scotland that there is a minimal risk to public health, though precautions were put in place to safeguard those involved in the depopulation and cull of the birds. We have been in communication with our stakeholders, who support all our actions to date.
I thank the minister for his reassurances about public health, because that is critical with this episode. After years of contingency plans and exercises, this is a live test of the system. I know that it is early days, but will the minister tell me more about how the outbreak was identified, how long it took for the authorities to be involved and whether there is an early indication of the outbreak’s source? Will he give his overall view about whether the system is working effectively?
As Willie Rennie rightly said, there are tried and tested contingency plans for such outbreaks. The disease control group met early doors, as soon as the suspicious case was identified by a private vet who had been called in by the company that owns the farm. I commend the farm manager for reporting the suspicious illness of the birds in question and the private vet who in turn reported it and took the necessary action with the authorities. That, of course, is the responsible action that we would expect all poultry keepers and their vets to take, and I thank them for that.
On the source of the outbreak, quite clearly there have been a number of similar instances elsewhere—in 2015, there were three in England, albeit that they involved different strains of H5N1 avian flu; there were instances on the continent, too. It is widely accepted that the wild bird population plays a role in spreading the virus but, of course, it is early days with the Dunfermline incident and investigations are on-going to identify what the potential source of this incursion may be. Those investigations will continue, and I will keep Parliament updated as they progress.
The minister is right to commend the vet and the farm manager for how they conducted themselves; the outbreak could have spread and become a wider incident, so their swift and professional action is to be commended. Will he guarantee that he will come to Parliament again to present a full report into the incident, so that we understand fully whether the system has worked effectively in this case? Although it is a low-risk incident on this occasion, a future incident may be different, so we need to know whether the system is working effectively.
I certainly give the guarantee to Willie Rennie and other members that I will keep Parliament updated as the investigation progresses and on any wider issues that may arise from that. I have notified the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee of steps taken so far, and I will continue to do that.
Roadside Emissions Testing (Local Authority Powers)
To ask the Scottish Government what powers are available to local authorities to carry out roadside emissions testing. (S4T-01278)
The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 provide powers for designated local authorities in Scotland to carry out roadside emissions tests and to issue £60 fixed-penalty notices for emissions offences under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 that the tests identify. The Scottish Government provides financial support to local authorities for that work.
There are clear discrepancies between local authorities in how they are implementing the 2003 regulations. The Scottish Government published its national air pollution strategy in November. Will the minister say whether all the actions that were identified for delivery in 2015-16 are on track and what budget is assigned to the delivery of those actions? Can he assure us that the strategy to end air pollution is fully funded?
This is a complex area, and I will be happy to come back to Alison Johnstone with more detail on implementation. We debated the issue in November 2015 when we published “Cleaner Air for Scotland—The Road to a Healthier Future”, and it is clear that there is a lot to be done in a very challenging area. It is right to keep up the pressure in that regard and to maintain our partnership with local authorities.
There is funding in the system to execute many of the actions that have been identified. On Alison Johnstone’s point about the key action by local authorities, which is roadside testing, I can say that 13 out of 32 local authorities are implementing roadside testing. I encourage other local authorities to implement the regulations; discussions are continuing in that regard. If Alison Johnstone wants further information on implementation, I will be happy to supply it. Implementation is at an early stage and we have an ambitious strategy to improve air quality, which is necessary given the health impacts in our country.
Professor David Newby’s research demonstrates a clear link between air pollution and heart disease. Indeed, Professor Newby has said that air pollution is one of the top avoidable contributors to heart disease. The minister frequently cites his “record” levels of investment in walking and cycling but, given that that record amounts to a lowly 1.9 per cent of the transport budget, it is clear that the minister is making transport investment decisions that put Scotland’s health at risk. Will he say when he will start to take the issue seriously and invest in the transport options that will enable us to eradicate air pollution?
A range of work is going on that can be welcomed. On roads investment, for example, the new Queensferry crossing is a necessary investment and should not be criticised, and the dualling work on the A9, which is partly about road safety and protecting lives, should not be criticised.
Alison Johnstone makes a fair point when she says that emissions from vehicles damage the planet and damage the health of individuals and communities. Some premature deaths are brought about because of emissions, which is why we support the decarbonisation of transport and the move to electric and low-carbon vehicles—there is specific funding for that.
I would not criticise the record investment in active travel that I inherited from Mr Brown. I have sustained that record funding despite the financial pressures that we face. More than a billion pounds is spent every year on encouraging people to get out of the car and to use public transport. That is the right budget decision in a challenging environment.
I do not in any way underestimate the challenge of improving our environment and encouraging people to make healthier life choices. That is what the Government will continue to do, through our cleaner air for Scotland strategy and our many other interventions.
I thank the minister for those thoughts. Is the point not that, although lots of good work is being done, we need more concerted action in areas in which air quality standards are being breached? Is that not where we need leadership from the Scottish Government, in working with local authorities to target action in urban areas where it is clear that people are dying preventable deaths because of poor air quality?
Sarah Boyack makes a fair point, and to support areas where there have been breaches or concerns have been identified, air quality management areas have been designated. A range of interventions can be made, which are not necessarily just about environmental enforcement, to tackle local hot spots. I am more than happy to continue to work in partnership with local authorities who identify such areas, to try to improve local air quality.
Hawick Knitwear (Administration)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support those affected by Hawick Knitwear entering administration. (S4T-01266)
I am deeply concerned that Hawick Knitwear has been placed in administration, with the loss of 119 jobs. My thoughts are with staff and their families at this difficult time. I will visit the site tomorrow to speak with the administrators, KPMG, with Scottish Borders Council, I hope, and with members of the workforce and their representatives to assure them that we will do everything possible to support them.
I can confirm that the Scottish Government and its agencies, in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, are exploring every possible avenue of support with the company. We are also working very closely with the administrators to secure new owners for the business.
I can also confirm that we are providing support for the employees who are facing redundancy through our initiative for responding to redundancy situations, partnership action for continuing employment. Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE will aim to minimise the time that the individuals who are affected by redundancy are out of work.
All affected employees have received information on pay support. A PACE redundancy support event and jobs fair will take place this Friday, 15 January, at Hawick rugby club, where PACE partners and local employers with vacancies will be available to meet individuals to assist them with future employment opportunities.
I thank the minister for that answer and for the very constructive dialogue that he has had with me over the past few days about this important matter. The loss of at least 120 jobs in a town the size of Hawick will have a far greater proportional effect than did the closure of Tata Steel. For that reason, I repeat my request that the minister consider setting up a task force to give additional support to the textiles industry in Hawick. Will he consider that request further?
Yes, we will consider it further. We are open minded as to whether a task force is required. As John Lamont and I discussed this morning, it is prudent first to take a short while to assess the situation, while working closely with the administrators—as we always do—the workforce representatives and the local authority. However, I will revert to the member on that point. Similar concerns have been expressed to me by the member of Parliament, Calum Kerr, and by Paul Wheelhouse. As Mr Lamont knows, I seek to take a bipartisan approach on all such matters, so if there is a task force, we will seek to have appropriately balanced representation on it.
I hope that that is a sufficient answer at this point to Mr Lamont’s question.
From a practical perspective, I know from my discussions with the employees and trade union officials that there are concerns about the online application process that is contained in the PACE pack. Can the minister ensure that additional support is provided at the PACE event on Friday to assist the employees who are struggling?
Yes, I can. Following my discussion with Mr Lamont this morning, I asked the head of PACE to ensure that the online applications process does not pose a hurdle. We will take steps to ensure that that aspect is dealt with.
I emphasise that we hope to continue the support that we have provided to the textile industry, including regional selective assistance awards over the past 18 months that total £536,000 to five individual companies, including, in fact, Hawick Knitwear. I know also that Paul Wheelhouse and John Swinney have been involved in textile events over the past years, as have previous Administrations.
The problems are not new, but I think that there is a shared determination across the chamber both to promote the excellent, high-quality work that is done in the industry, which has great successes—it is not all doom and gloom—and to address the extremely unfortunate position that Hawick faces now, particularly in the light of the fact that the move into administration took place at around the same time as the town was affected by flooding.
That double whammy will be felt strongly in Hawick. Therefore I very much look forward to hearing tomorrow, from those who are most directly involved, how we can work together to tackle the challenges that Hawick and the people of Hawick face.
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