Rural Affairs and the Environment
Rural Poverty
Poverty is an issue that the Government is committed to tackling. It is affected by a range of factors, including employment, health, housing and access to central services. As Mary Fee will appreciate, action on those issues is the responsibility of all my Cabinet colleagues, but we have taken many steps within my portfolio to increase economic growth, to provide skills training, to safeguard jobs and to provide key services, particularly through the LEADER funding stream, and through the Scottish rural development programme.
A few weeks ago, the Poverty Alliance launched its report into rural poverty and its impact on lone parents. Can the cabinet secretary inform Parliament what measures he has taken to improve the welfare of lone parents in rural communities, who are more at risk of extreme poverty as a result of welfare reform?
I commend the authors for their very important report. The challenges that face lone parents, particularly in the current economic climate and given the welfare reforms that are impacting on them, are very great, so I welcome Mary Fee’s raising the issue.
Agricultural Support (Direct Payments)
Scottish farmers receive around €600 million a year in direct payments through the common agricultural policy, which includes €29 million in coupled payments through the Scottish beef scheme. The Scottish Government supports the need for those direct payments, which are vital for Scotland’s farmers, particularly those in less favoured areas, and we will continue to urge the United Kingdom Government to recognise Scotland’s distinct agricultural needs and to support our position in continuing reform of the CAP.
The UK environment secretary, Owen Paterson, made it clear to the Oxford farming conference earlier this month that he aspires to see an end to pillar 1 support for farmers, with decisions on food production being left to the market. That could have devastating consequences for Scottish agriculture. Does the cabinet secretary agree that Mr Paterson’s concerning comments are further evidence that the future of Scottish farming can be secured only through independence?
Yes. On many issues there are many hectares between the position that is adopted by Owen Paterson and that adopted by me regarding the future direction of agricultural support. As I said at the time, when he spoke at the Oxford farming conference—when, once again, he called for direct support for Scottish food producers to be phased out as soon as possible—he was perhaps speaking to farmers who live in the rolling acres of Anglia, but he was certainly not speaking to Scottish farmers, given the fact that we rely on that kind of support and given the additional challenges that farmers here, particularly those in the uplands, face. Thankfully, many other countries in Europe recognise that there is a case for continuing direct support.
No matter what the future holds—let us face it: we have heard all that before—the fact is that, under the reform proposals, basic payments are likely to be capped at €300,000, with banded reductions within that. Does the cabinet secretary share my slight concerns on how that might impact on employment at some of Scotland’s larger farms? I understand that there might be a provision for the reductions to be reduced if they were to have an impact on employment. Does the cabinet secretary share that view? Will he make representations to the UK Government to ensure that it, too, shares that view?
Alex Fergusson is right that there is a proposal to cap farming payments across Europe. My position is that we should not waste negotiating capital opposing that. On the other hand, we want to ensure that it can be implemented on the ground and that it is not so full of loopholes that businesses just create new businesses to get round the cap.
Scotch Lamb
In my meetings with the major retailers, I take every opportunity to highlight the fantastic Scottish products on offer, including our high-quality Scotch lamb. It is clearly important that supermarkets support our sheep producers, particularly against a backdrop of lower farm-gate prices. As a consequence of the current market conditions, I met the National Sheep Association Scotland on 23 January to discuss the short and long-term difficulties that face the sheep industry, and I hope to make an announcement shortly on possible support for the sector.
As the cabinet secretary is well aware, the Scotch lamb label is a protected geographical indication that represents superior character, 100 per cent traceability and a quality guarantee of stricter production methods and controls required by law. What steps can the cabinet secretary take to highlight that important and impressive status for our lamb to food retailers, especially supermarkets at home and abroad?
Gil Paterson rightly highlights that Scotch lamb benefits from traceability and quality, which I believe are criteria that consumers are looking for. I therefore hope that every retailer would ensure that consumers have the opportunity to buy that lamb from the shelves in Scottish supermarkets. Clearly, that happens in some supermarkets, but not in all. We want all retailers to get behind our sheep sector, given some of the current challenges. We are also working with the industry to look at new export opportunities. It is clear that there is untapped potential in overseas markets, so we want to make the most of that opportunity as well.
The lack of local abattoirs is a major barrier to all small or large retailers that stock Scottish lamb with high welfare standards. How will a new food body for Scotland support more local slaughterhouses to be viable local enterprises, thereby reversing the trend towards mega-abattoirs and the detriment that they cause to small-scale producers and retailers, and to animal welfare?
I know that Alison Johnstone and other members have a long-term interest in small abattoirs, particularly those in our more rural areas. We have supported new abattoirs in rural areas through some of our existing funding streams, but some of the challenges that face others are, of course, commercial challenges: if they are not making a profit, that is why they close down, unfortunately .
LED Lighting (Environmental Benefits)
There are a number of commercial applications for LED lighting—for example, street lighting and lighting in offices. The environmental benefits of using LED lighting include reducing energy use and a subsequent reduction in CO2 emissions. For instance, replacing 1,000 typical halogen reflectors with energy-efficient LED alternatives will actually save 14 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. For every 200 bulbs, that is equivalent to taking a car off the road for a year. A substantial component of local authority electricity consumption is the requirement for street lighting, and work by the Scottish Futures Trust indicates that if all street lanterns were converted to LED, it could save local authorities the equivalent of £28 million per annum through electricity bills.
Does the minister agree that we need to place much more emphasis on reducing the amount of energy that is required and consumed, rather than on the constant production of energy? Does he agree that it is important to investigate ways of encouraging potentially high-volume users such as hospitals and schools to take advantage of LED technology?
I agree with that sentiment. It is clearly important to think about how we produce our electricity, which the Government is doing, but it is equally important to think about how we can improve energy efficiency.
Agriculture (Costs)
I meet regularly with farmers, and the impact of high input costs such as fuel and animal feed is raised frequently, so I am very aware of the consequences for agriculture in Scotland. Although commodity prices are set by international markets and are, therefore, beyond our control, the Scottish Government supports the industry in a variety of ways to help farmers to manage those costs as well as possible.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that, at a time when the economy is teetering on the brink of a triple-dip recession, and farmers in the agricultural sector are facing huge challenges, it would be wrong-headed of the United Kingdom Government to consider increasing the level of fuel duty? Does he also agree that having a fuel duty regulator would be a simple and effective method of ensuring that prices remain stable, and would help to give farmers and the agriculture sector confidence about the stability of future fuel prices?
Bruce Crawford makes an important point about the impact of rising fuel costs on agriculture and other rural industries. At a time when households and businesses are facing rising fuel costs, further increases in fuel duty would clearly be the wrong approach. They would not only directly affect the farming businesses in terms of how much they pay for fuel, but their supplies and raw materials would increase in price as well, due to additional transport costs.
What additional advice and financial support is the Scottish Government providing to farmers in view of the recent severe weather, particularly with regard to field drainage, which must be tackled in a sustainable way, within guidelines? The weather has particularly impacted on Clyde and Forth valley NFU Scotland members in my region, as well as farmers elsewhere.
The recent extreme weather had an impact on agriculture across Scotland, including in Claudia Beamish’s region. I have had a number of conversations with farming organisations about that, and drainage has been raised with me several times. Given that addressing the issue could cost hundreds of millions of pounds, there is no easy financial solution to helping to improve drainage in our farms. However, we are thinking about how the next Scottish rural development plan could take into account the need to improve drainage on our farmland. Of course, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has also spoken to farmers to find out how it can be of more assistance in terms of regulation.
The minister will be aware of a recent initiative by Tesco to increase the amount that is paid to its suppliers for beef and pork. Does he accept that the major retailers, as well as Government, have a large part to play in ensuring that farmers get a fair price for what they produce?
At a time of cut-throat competition between retailers who want to increase their profits and perhaps squeeze suppliers’ margins, retailers should recognise that they have a responsibility to protect food security in Scotland and ensure that all our suppliers get a decent return. That is something that I and many other members constantly raise with retailers in Scotland. We should keep raising it. I am sure that consumers are on our side in the argument.
Squirrel Pox (South of Scotland)
We are working with a range of partners to carry out grey squirrel control to isolate squirrel pox virus outbreak zones and establish pox containment around those areas in the south of Scotland.
I support the policy of red squirrel reserves. However, as we know, it takes the intrusion of only one grey squirrel carrying squirrel pox into a red squirrel area for the disease to spread even before the grey squirrel is culled.
Elaine Murray is quite right. The Moredun Research Institute received three years’ funding from the Wildlife Ark Trust and SNH to develop a vaccine to protect red squirrels from the squirrel pox virus.
I draw the minister’s attention to another Dumfriesshire issue, which was raised in the Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser this week: the frightening rise in liver fluke cases in livestock due to the recent spate of wet summers. What is being done to address that?
Minister, I am not certain that that question is relevant, but you may nonetheless choose to answer it.
I will attempt to answer it, Presiding Officer.
That is remarkably well briefed for a question on squirrel pox.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Review)
The Scottish Government has no plans to review the impact of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The Pentland hills regional park celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. However, in recent years, it has experienced a reduction in funding and the ranger staff have been absorbed into the local authority parks department. In light of those changes, does the Government have any plans to protect regional parks by giving them a similar status to national parks?
I am aware that the Pentland hills regional park is an important area of countryside in a regional context and provides opportunities for outdoor recreation alongside farming and other land uses. Our national parks, on the other hand, are designated as areas of the highest national value for their landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage and the national park authorities are accountable to the Scottish ministers.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is enforced by wildlife crime officers throughout Scotland. The minister will be aware that there are some concerns about their future. Will he assure the Parliament that the police service of Scotland will protect and develop the important work that the wildlife crime officers carry out?
I am happy to tell Claire Baker that we have a strong commitment to the continuing work of the wildlife crime unit. Indeed, I welcome the decision by the United Kingdom minister to continue funding for the foreseeable future. That gives a good basis for the unit to continue its important work in the countryside.
Justice and the Law Officers
Metal Theft
Tackling metal theft is a priority for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and for the Scottish Government. The range of action by the Scottish Government includes plans to tighten regulation of scrap metal dealers by raising the level of turnover for exemption from the licensing scheme to £1 million from 20 February. There are also proposals to prohibit the payment of cash for metal, to remove access to ready cash for criminals.
There has been a recent spate of lead thefts from the roof of one of Paisley’s most historic buildings—the Thomas Coats memorial church. Along with other stakeholders, I have been working towards securing that church’s future. However, the thefts have proven to be a major setback. Does the Lord Advocate agree that those who are responsible for those thefts need to be prosecuted with the full force of the law?
Obviously, I cannot comment on the case that Mr Adam mentioned, as proceedings are live. However, I can say that I agree that metal theft is a problem that the law must tackle robustly. That is why a robust prosecution policy has been developed for metal theft. The policy takes account of a theft’s economic, social, emotional and cultural effect. It has regard to whether the offender has links to serious and organised crime—if so, the libelling of the charge will reflect that. Consideration is also given to using proceeds of crime legislation in every case.
Will the Lord Advocate rehearse the extent of the ban that will apply to cash payments for metal? He might be aware that I lodged a motion in March last year that invited ministers to take steps to proscribe cash payments for the sale of even small amounts of metal and to ensure that payments were from credit or bank accounts.
I understand that the arrangements are due to come into force in the near future. I agree with the member that preventing access to ready cash is a worthy aim. As he knows, the market is exploited by criminals, including serious and organised criminals. It is important to know the source of money and where it is going. The ban will assist law enforcement in dealing with the scourge of metal theft in this country.
Edinburgh Agreement (Legal Validity)
As the member will be aware, there is a long-standing convention that the Government does not disclose whether the law officers have or have not advised on any particular matter. The content of any such legal advice would also be confidential. That convention is recognised in paragraph 2.35 of the Scottish ministerial code.
In response to a question from my colleague Mark Griffin MSP, the Lord Advocate said:
I have not read the Advocate General’s statement that Anne McTaggart advises was issued this morning. However, I stand by what I said to this chamber on the date that the member referred to.
Court Closures (Impact on Island Communities)
The Scottish Court Service continues to give careful consideration to issues of access to justice. Its consultation paper lays out a series of principles on access to justice that have shaped the proposals that have been put forward. As the consultation paper sets out, island courts would remain in Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Lochmaddy and Portree.
Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that there is also scope for greater consideration of travelling times and difficulties when scheduling court cases, especially cases that involve travel to and from islands? Does he agree that such consideration of scheduling could also lead to efficiencies in the court system?
Absolutely. The member makes an important point—if there is to be any diminution in the number of courts, those are factors to consider. However, they are factors that have always been considered by the Court Service. I remember many years ago, as a practising defence agent, being involved in a trial in Lochmaddy where the scheduling of the cases depended on which ferry was coming from Eriskay or Barra—or indeed which plane was being taken by whom—at which time. Those factors have always been taken on board—in particular in island communities, but also in other communities where bus timetabling has been a factor. I assure the member that such factors and criteria will continue to be considered by the Court Service.
Can the cabinet secretary tell us when we will be told about responses to proposals for court closures in the islands and elsewhere and when he intends to make a decision on whether to bring forward a measure to close Scottish courts?
As the member knows, it is the Scottish Court Service that carried out the consultation, which is now closed. I have no doubt that the Lord President will be considering matters with the chief executive and others who are involved, and it will be for him to decide where he wishes to take that consultation. If the Lord President wishes to take it further, he will doubtless be in communication with me and I will notify the Parliament about that.
Police Officers (Numbers)
We currently have a record number of police officers in Scotland, which has contributed to safer and stronger communities, with recorded crime at a 37-year low.
In 2008, my party forced the Scottish National Party Government to commit to 1,000 extra police officers. However, I have been informed in a response to a freedom of information request that the total number of officers at their desks on restricted duties has risen from 560 in 2006 to 1,412 in 2011. As that will clearly have a dramatic impact on the number of police officers in our communities, what is the cabinet secretary going to do to restore that number?
These are fundamentally matters for the chief constable, who is held to account by the Scottish Police Authority. I can say, however, that police officers can be on restricted duties for a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy. Given the increase in the number of female officers, that factor has to be taken into consideration. Equally, officers who have suffered injuries—[Interruption.] That might be a matter of some light-heartedness to Jenny Marra but, tragically, far too many officers suffer injuries in the course of their duties and have to be protected. These issues are discussed by management, unions, the Scottish Police Federation, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents—which I mentioned earlier—and indeed the chief constable, who has ultimate responsibility.
Police Service of Scotland (Backroom Functions)
At the Scottish Police Authority meeting on Friday 18 January, the SPA and the police service of Scotland reached agreement on the high-level design principles for eight key corporate services. Joint work between the SPA and the police service is now taking place to implement that agreement, and proposals for the remaining services are expected to be presented to the next SPA board meeting in February.
Despite some rationalisation of backroom functions, many support jobs will be available in the new Scottish police force and I am pleased to hear that progress is being made in that respect. I know that the cabinet secretary agrees that the whole of Scotland must benefit from these jobs, and I want to ensure that the Highlands get their fair share. Given that, does the cabinet secretary agree that some Scotland-wide support functions that are not location dependent must be established in the Highlands on the basis of equity and inclusivity?
I know that the member is concerned about this issue and has been raising it for some time now. I should point out that the vast majority of support staff will see no immediate change to their place of work on 1 April and that decisions thereafter will be a matter for the Scottish Police Authority and the police service of Scotland. I believe that progress is being made in those discussions and that the chair and the other members of the SPA acknowledge that the whole of Scotland must be recognised—after all, we are talking about the police service of Scotland. If it is of any interest, I note that, as I said in response to an earlier question, I have just come from a meeting with the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents which, it would be fair to say, has a great deal of sympathy with the member’s point.
Can the cabinet secretary give us any indication of the current cost of the reform process? When, in a recent written parliamentary question, I asked him
Labour members sometimes seem to forget that they supported the establishment of a single police service of Scotland; indeed, Jenny Marra seems to spend all her time criticising these moves. The police service and the SPA have to face hard challenges and take hard decisions, but the single service will bring great benefits, win savings and, most important, avoid the situation that is playing out south of the border, where almost as many officers as serve in Scotland will be lost and where the terms and conditions of those who serve are under attack. Even today, further proposals have been made that attack the terms and conditions of those who serve.
Sentencing
At the heart of our approach is the commitment to maintain the independence of Scotland’s judiciary in reaching sentencing decisions relevant to each case. Indeed, that independence is fundamental to guaranteeing fair trials.
Can the cabinet secretary tell me whether the sentencing council will review sentencing practices, which to ordinary citizens do not accord with the proposition that the punishment should fit the crime? For example, a recent spate of housebreakings in Girvan resulted in two perpetrators being caught, tried in Ayr sheriff court and sentenced to just six months and nine months respectively. Under early release provisions, these men will be back on the streets in half that time. As the cabinet secretary will appreciate, local people feel badly let down by a system that deals so lightly with criminals who have violated their homes.
First, let me say that the member makes a vital point. Housebreaking is an extremely serious offence and is viewed that way by the police, the prosecution service and the judiciary. Housebreaking violates trust and can cause great trauma, as I know from speaking to those involved in Victim Support Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal Service and the police service, who are aware of the significant difficulties and knock-on effects that can last for many years. That is taken very seriously.
Local Police Commanders (North-east Scotland)
We are working very closely with all the new local commanders as we support them and their partners to trial new local scrutiny and engagement arrangements before the new arrangements go live on 1 April. Both the local commander for Aberdeen city and the local commander for Aberdeenshire and Moray are regular attendees at our quarterly network events, and the two national advisers whom we fund through the Improvement Service visited the north-east pathfinders on 18 January.
The team of 14 local police commanders who will serve under the single Scottish police service will develop and implement local policing plans specific to each council ward that are intended to ensure that policing across Scotland reflects the needs of our diverse communities. Can the cabinet secretary advise what input individuals and groups from the local community have had, or will have in future, in developing those plans? How will local priorities be informed and agreed?
As the member has correctly said, the police service of Scotland has made a commitment to introduce community engagement plans for all 353 multimember wards across Scotland. The community engagement plans will play a key role in informing policing plans at a local authority level.
Wildlife Crime
Tackling wildlife crime continues to be a priority for the Scottish Government. It will be a matter for the chief constable to decide how best to deploy the resources available to him to deliver police service of Scotland priorities, which will obviously include combating wildlife crime.
In the past, we have had mixed reports on the effectiveness of the policing of wildlife crime by Scottish police authorities. What can the Cabinet Secretary for Justice do to ensure that existing best practice in exemplary authorities becomes standard practice in the new national force?
The member makes a fair point that the approach has been patchy. However, we should recognise that the single service offers an opportunity to level up the situation and to ensure that the good work that we know is taking place is replicated throughout the length and breadth of Scotland.
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