Epidemiological investigations at each of the six infected premises (IPs) involving gamebird establishments, declared in Scotland in 2023, revealed that all of the birds involved were open to direct or indirect contact with wild birds, either through unroofed netted release pens, open potholes or, in the cases of fully netted release pens and housed birds, through holes in the netting or walls.

We are already working closely with private and public sector partners, including developers and investors, through a variety of fora to ensure that together, we maximise the economic benefits that the offshore renewables sector can deliver for Scotland.

Summary notes of the meetings between Scottish Government officials and BDA Scotland are available on Scottish Dental. A link to this resource is attached https://www.scottishdental.org/news/ .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22110 on 30 October 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The great majority of abortions in Scotland are early medical abortions, where one or both medications are taken at home. These patients do not require bed spaces. Only a small minority of abortion patients require inpatient treatment, mostly as a day patient.

Whilst factors, including access to a bed, may sometimes cause a delay, Health Boards do their best to ensure patients can access abortion treatment as quickly as possible.

The Energy sector is reserved to the UK Government. This limits the Scottish Government ’ s ability to directly engage with energy network operators and ask for a review of their processes.

It is vital the public have confidence in policing. Vetting is a key strand in providing that assurance and we welcome the publication of the HMICS assurance review of vetting policy and procedures within Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government notes that work is already underway within Police Scotland to address the report’s recommendations for improvement. Since 2021, Police Scotland has introduced an additional vetting check just prior to new police officers taking their oath of office. Furthermore, as part of the UK wide integrity screening exercise earlier this year, Police Scotland has checked every officer and member of staff against the criminal records database and against their own vulnerable persons database. They have also committed to introducing a rolling programme to review vetting clearances, later this year.

The Scottish Government is committed to exploring the legislative basis for vetting, as per recommendation one of the HMICS review. The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Scotland Bill, introduced to Parliament in June 2023, will further improve police complaint and misconduct systems and processes.

The Scottish Government expects everybody to be treated fairly and with respect when seeking health care. All health boards have policies in place to fulfil their duties under the Equality Act 2010.

The Scottish Government supports the appropriate use of single sex exemptions to services when it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

Responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Equality Act rests with individual organisations. The responsibility for oversight of compliance with the 2010 Act, rests with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).EHRC has issued guidance on how the Regulations should be applied in practice, including on hospital wards.

The EHRC is independent, and it cannot be directed by Scottish Ministers.

There are a number of recommendations that have been made through the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, many of which are targeted specifically at Health Boards and other partners, as well as the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government is considering all of the recommendations made. Given the broad scope of the recommendations, and the seriousness of the issues raised, it is important that sufficient time is taken to fully plan how any actions will be taken forward.

We will provide an update to Parliament in due course.

The Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Stakeholder Group last met on 23 March 2023. Following that meeting, and based on feedback from some members about the effectiveness of bringing such a large group together for time limited meetings, the purpose of the Group was reframed. During the Summer period, some members of the Group took part in smaller workshops on Just Transition and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The Scottish Government will now engage with members on specific, often time sensitive, topics, utilising the Group as a network of experts, being brought together as part of a targeted engagement programme to provide written and oral evidence.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill will assist in realising the Vision for Agriculture, setting out a framework of support for agriculture, forestry and rural communities, though the four-tier support structure. Work is underway within the established Agriculture Reform Programme (ARP) on transitioning to a new support framework and on developing the detail of what will follow in secondary legislation.

The published Agricultural Reform Route Map provides information for farmers and crofters on when current schemes will transition or end, what they can expect to change from 2025, the support available now to help them prepare, how they can get involved in designing the new framework, and when more guidance, support and information will be available. The Scottish Government is calling on the agriculture sector to help us shape the detail of future of support and how it is delivered through a series of interviews, surveys, workshops, testing and trials and anyone can take part. Volunteers will be reimbursed with payment levels depending on the time and input required and people can register their interest here .

For further information on the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), I refer the member to the Board's Terms of Reference which is periodically reviewed.