Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S7W-04304

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 10 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the environmental implications and consumer transparency issues associated with the use of poultry-derived processed animal protein in salmon feed by salmon producers, particularly in light of the commitment in its Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture to use 100% responsibly sourced marine and vegetable ingredients in finfish feeds.

The Scottish Government has not conducted its own assessment of the environmental implications or consumer transparency issues associated with the use of poultry-derived processed animal protein in salmon feed.

However, the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Cluster (SAIC) has funded research in this area, including work to compare the environmental footprint of alternative feed ingredients and to explore consumer attitudes towards the use of poultry-derived PAP in aquaculture feeds: New case study: exploring poultry by-products as sustainable salmon feed ingredients

Introducing avian protein products into salmon diets could reduce dependence on imported fishmeal and soy and support a circular economy. The Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture supports innovation which facilitates opportunities for a highly resource efficient and productive industry to responsibly maximise value from the production process.

While some Norwegian salmon producers have begun using poultry processed animal protein as an alternative to fish meal, this has not yet been adopted in the Scottish sector. Scottish feed producers must ensure full traceability through supplier documentation, including Certificates of Analysis, traceability certificates and third-party certifications.

Question reference: S7W-04924

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether NatureScot requires applicants seeking a licence to kill mountain hares for the purpose of falconry to carry out population surveys before a licence is issued.

Question reference: S7W-04921

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it currently holds on the population of mountain hares, including any national and regional population trends since the measures relating to mountain hares under the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 came into force in 2021.

Question reference: S7W-04923

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether NatureScot requires applicants seeking a licence to kill mountain hares for the purpose of tree protection to carry out population surveys before a licence is issued.

Question reference: S7W-04922

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how NatureScot uses information on the population status of mountain hares to ensure that licences do not cumulatively have a detrimental impact on the favourable conservation status of the species across its native range.

Question reference: S7W-04542

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on whether wild Atlantic salmon, or products derived from wild Atlantic salmon, have been used in feed for salmon farmed in Scotland.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on whether wild Atlantic salmon, or products derived from wild Atlantic salmon, have been used in feed for salmon farmed in Scotland. Food Standards Scotland regulates feed, while the Animal and Plant Health Agency regulate the animal-by product and feed-ban rules that apply to ingredients of animal origin.

Wild Atlantic salmon are not a target species for the production of fish meal or fish oil used in salmon feed. In Scotland, it is illegal to retain any salmon caught in coastal waters or to sell, offer or expose for sale any salmon caught by rod and line in Scotland. Any wild Atlantic salmon taken by a method other than rod and line in Scottish inland waters must be tagged and anyone netting must be in possession of salmon carcass tags issued by the Scottish Ministers.

Question reference: S7W-04546

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to making public funding for salmon farming companies conditional on meeting fish health, welfare and environmental standards, including targets for reducing fish mortality.

Decisions on public funding for marine economy sectors, including salmon farming, are determined according to conditions or criteria which are relevant to the funding stream in question.

The Marine Fund Scotland administered by Scottish Government considers alignment of proposed projects with our Blue Economy Vision and other Scottish Government priorities, including our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, which includes specific outcomes on environmental sustainability and fish health and welfare. Applications are also assessed on factors such as their deliverability and value for money.

Question reference: S7W-04543

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to requiring salmon farm operators to publish the species and geographical origin of all ingredients used in their feed.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken specific consideration of introducing a requirement for salmon farm operators to publish the species and geographical origin of all ingredients used in their feed.

Animal feed is, however, subject to statutory safety, traceability and labelling requirements, including requirements to identify the species of certain feed materials.

These requirements do not currently extend to the public disclosure of the geographical origin and species of all feed ingredients.

The Scottish Government's Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture also sets out its ambitions for the responsible sourcing of ingredients used in finfish feed.

Question reference: S7W-04857

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Animal Equality UK’s Freedom of Information findings, for what reason (a) no fish slaughter welfare inspections took place between September 2022 and April 2025, despite APHA being required to monitor welfare at slaughter from February 2022 and (b) no slaughter vessels were inspected between February 2022 and July 2026, and what action it will take, and by when, to ensure regular, unannounced welfare inspections of all shore-based fish slaughter facilities and slaughter vessels.

Question reference: S7W-04145

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the provision of home economics in secondary schools in the Highlands and Islands to ensure that pupils have access to this as part of a broad general education, including how it is addressing the reported shortage of specialist teachers in the subject.

Through the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), every child and young person in Scotland is entitled to a broad general education that includes learning about food and health. The food and health experiences and outcomes within CfE provide opportunities for pupils to understand the impact of their dietary choices on their health, the economy and the environment. This learning is delivered across a range of subjects and activities.

The curriculum is currently being reviewed through Education Scotland's Curriculum Improvement Cycle to ensure it remains relevant, forward-looking and supports improved outcomes for learners.

Whilst recruitment is a matter for local authorities, the Scottish Government is supporting workforce stability through the £1 million Teacher Recruitment Assistance Fund (TRAF). The fund helps councils address recruitment and retention challenges in rural and island communities by strengthening local incentive packages, such as relocation and housing support, to attract and retain teachers in hard-to-fill posts.

We are also supporting recruitment through a range of measures, including a national teaching recruitment campaign, routes to enable additional registration for qualified teachers where appropriate and £12,500 teaching bursaries for individuals wishing to undertake a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in the hardest to fill teaching subjects, including Home Economics.