Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has made no assessment of the number of male chicks culled by maceration in Scotland in the last five years. Most egg producers in Scotland buy in pre-sexed chicks and there are insufficient numbers of producers hatching eggs to make any monitoring/measurement necessary.

The Scottish Government condemns all forms of racially motivated harassment, intimidation and violence and is clear that communities affected should feel safe, supported and resilient.

Since 2021 we have invested £6.3 million to support race equality and anti-racism organisations. This has enabled 48 funded organisations to support over 7,713 individuals and 2,427 organisations. Furthermore, we are investing £2.83M over 3 financial years into the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland to help advance anti-racism, working in conjunction with communities across Scotland.

Working with communities, Police Scotland and local partners is central to the Scottish Government’s approach and we work closely with partners across the third sector and community groups to discuss measures to promote community safety and wellbeing. This engagement is central to ensuring that our approach reflects the needs and lived experiences of those most impacted.

Section 12 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 came into force on 16 March 2026.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges faced by seasonal workers and their employers are complex, and further work is required to develop bespoke national standards. Local authorities are expected to use existing powers to introduce byelaws suited to their geographical area, and in response to the specific circumstances relating to seasonal workers. Officials recently met with key stakeholders to further discuss key aspects of this issue. Officials have been in discussion with local authorities regarding their responsibility to introduce byelaws that maintain accommodation standards for seasonal workers. This work with local authorities will continue as they take up that responsibility.

Escaped farmed fish are in no one’s interest.

This new agreement, developed by Fisheries Management Scotland and Salmon Scotland, builds on the ambitions of the Salmon Interactions Working Group to introduce a proportionate scheme with the ultimate aim of redistributing funds to support conservation and research projects.

Stakeholders considered how to scale payments linked to the size of escapes, in line with Scottish marine legislation, to deliver a practical way for farmers to support conservation work where escapes occur, while also establishing additional contributions in subsequent years where evidence shows a clear impact on wild fish populations.

The scheme will be embedded in the sector’s Code of Good Practice, which is independently audited and treated as a requirement by salmon farming companies and retailers. The efficacy of the scheme and the need for more formal measures will be kept under review.

The Scottish Government fully supports cooperative working between the aquaculture sector and wild salmon conservation interests to deliver positive change.

The scheme is in addition to, not in place of, Scotland’s existing regulatory framework which works to reduce the risk of fish farm escapes. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) has powers to inspect fish farms to consider the measures in place to contain farmed fish, prevent escapes and recapture farmed fish if they do escape. Where the FHI concludes that ‘satisfactory measures’ are not in place for the containment, prevention of escapes and the recovery of escaped fish, they may serve an enforcement notice to the fish farm operator under the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 requiring specific action to be taken. It is an offence to fail to comply with an enforcement notice; failure to comply with the requirements of the enforcement notice may result in a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (£2,500).

We’re committed to working with the fish farming sector to reduce the risk of escapes further through the delivery of an updated Technical Standard for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture containment in 2027-28.

Local authorities and National Park Authorities (“access authorities”) take the lead role in managing access to the countryside. Cases of irresponsible behaviour by those purporting to exercise access rights may be raised with the access authority. They may be able to assist, for example by putting up signage informing access takers of their responsibilities, installation of other infrastructure such as litter bins or toilets, or promoting suitable routes around or across a property, for example away from livestock or farmyards or around a field margin.

If a problem persists, the matter may be raised with the local access forum. Consisting of land manager and recreation interests, local access forums have been established by all access authorities for the purpose of assisting with problems or disputes. Where there are persistent breaches of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, an interdict against that person may be sought through the legal system. If a person’s behaviour is criminal, it should be reported to Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government is tackling marine litter with actions detailed in our Marine Litter Strategy, which aims to address the amount of litter entering the marine environment, to achieve ecological, economic and social benefits. Our Strategy and action plan was last refreshed in September 2022 and focuses on the most problematic types of marine litter including fishing and aquaculture gear, sewage-related debris, and plastic pellets. The Strategy drives forward our work and co-ordinates the efforts of our stakeholders and partners, working at a national and international level to help tackle this global problem.

Part one of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 requires local authorities and National Park Authorities (“access authorities”) to take the lead role in delivery of non-motorised outdoor access, and in relation to core paths. Access authorities have a range of duties and powers to publicise, maintain, and keep core paths free from obstruction.

We have committed to explore with the Ordnance Survey the potential for core paths to be recognised in their mapping; and to work with the Scottish Outdoor Recreation Alliance and others to develop a Scottish Paths Fund; as well as to produce new guidance for access authorities on how to fulfil their responsibilities. Scoping of these commitments is currently under way.

It is an offence under Section 2 of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 (‘the 2007 Act’) if an aquaculture business fails to comply with the requirements of the Fish Farming Businesses (Reporting) (Scotland) Order 2020 in respect of sea lice counts, without an appropriate explanation, or to knowingly provide any information which is false in a material particular. An offence under Section 2 of the 2007 Act is punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) take potential regulatory breaches seriously, and the 2007 Act provides for inspectors to inspect premises, examine and take copies of records, and as certain levels of parasites, as part of desk-based or on-site investigations, as required, depending on what may be proportionate to the suspected offence.

It was concluded that no offence had been committed on the basis that a reasonable excuse had been provided for not submitting a sea lice count. Legal obligations regarding reporting guidance were strongly emphasised to the operator in this case, in line with the FHI’s Service Charter.

I refer the Member to the Answer to Question S6W-44434 on 20 March 2026. 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/questions-and-answers

Advancing human rights is central to every mission of Government. This ambition will underpin our work to deliver prosperity, fairness and security for the people of Scotland.