- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 18 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that all EU-flagged pelagic freezer trawlers that have operated in Scottish waters in the last year are now compliant with Scotland’s remote electronic monitoring requirements for relevant pelagic boats.
Answer
The remote electronic monitoring (REM) requirements for pelagic vessels came into force on 7 March 2026. All applicable pelagic vessels in Scottish waters, regardless of national origin, are required to adhere to the REM requirements as set out in the Sea Fisheries (Remote Electronic Monitoring and Regulation of Scallop Fishing) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2024/165/body/made).
Relevant pelagic vessels (including EU-flagged freezer trawlers) were not required to be compliant with the REM legislation prior to 7 March. Any vessel that has yet to have its REM system installed and validated will not be in breach of the REM requirements unless they plan to fish.
Any relevant pelagic vessel that does intend to fish in Scottish waters must now carry and operate a fully validated REM system onboard. For Scottish registered vessels, this obligation applies wherever they operate.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 09 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve evidence gathering and support for Police Scotland in wildlife crime cases, in light of reports that 22% of received cases resulted in no action being taken, primarily due to insufficient evidence.
Answer
Wildlife Crime is unacceptable and the Scottish Government has taken numerous actions to tackle wildlife crime in recent years. This includes increasing the penalties for the most serious offences and increasing powers for Scottish SPCA inspectors under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Acy 2024 to search for, examine, and seize evidence of relevant offences whilst on non-domestic property when attending that property under their existing powers.
We are supporting Police Scotland by continuing to fund the full time Scottish Wildlife Crime Investigative Support Officer role within the National Wildlife Crime Unit for 2026-27. This is a crucial role that supports law enforcement investigations across Scotland. The Investigative Support Officer provides Police Officers with specialist advice and guidance as well as hands on practical support with investigations and searches.
Ultimately, prosecutorial decision-making in individual cases is a matter for the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service, who are operationally independent of the Scottish Ministers.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil service roles have been reclassified as “Edinburgh-based” or “central belt-based” since changes to the hybrid working policy were introduced in October 2025.
Answer
The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.
No civil service roles have been reclassified as “Edinburgh based” or “central belt-based” because of the revised hybrid working policy introduced in October 2025.
I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the forthcoming long-term location policy supports, rather than disadvantages, rural and island communities, and whether it will consult with affected staff and trade unions, including the PCS Highlands and Islands Branch, before finalising the long-term location policy.
Answer
The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including matters relating to workforce location policy.
The Scottish Government is committed to working in partnership with our recognised trade unions. The decision on the revised hybrid working policy was informed by a working group that included trade union representatives. As part of the implementation process, the organisation has committed to establishing a formal location policy. I understand that work will include consideration of any impacts on colleagues in rural and island communities and will be informed by consultation with staff networks and recognised trade unions via the Council of Scottish Government Unions. Work to finalise the location policy is expected to conclude later in 2026.
I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the minimum 40% office attendance requirement on staff living in rural, island and remote communities.
Answer
The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.
The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Scottish Government’s hybrid working policy drew on a broad range of evidence, including feedback from staff networks and findings from the hybrid working policy review, to ensure the policy remains accessible and inclusive.
Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live a further distant from their contractual work location.
I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that civil servants based in rural, island and remote communities are not placed at a structural disadvantage in career progression compared with staff based in Edinburgh and the central belt.
Answer
The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.
Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.
I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) on the hybrid working and location policy, and, if not, for what reason.
Answer
The Permanent Secretary has responsibility for the operational running of the Scottish Government, including workforce-related policies such as hybrid working.
As the hybrid working policy is an internal operational matter and does not alter staff contractual terms and conditions, a formal Islands Communities Impact Assessment was not required. However, we continue to monitor the policy in practice, including any impacts on colleagues across Scotland.
Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.
I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government how its hybrid working policies align with the commitments in its Action Plan to Address Depopulation and its National Islands Plan, regarding access to secure, skilled employment in rural and island areas.
Answer
The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including the workforce related hybrid working policy.
The new National Islands Plan prioritises retaining and attracting population, and while it has no specific commitment on public-sector job locations, it underlines the value of local employment. The Scottish Government also maintains a significant rural and island estate, including Marine Scotland and the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) offices.
Work to clarify a location policy for Scottish Government core staff will consider a range of relevant factors and benefit from consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff and diversity networks across the organisation. Until the location policy has been reviewed, interim arrangements are in place for people who live distant from their contractual work location.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its environmental strategy and responsibilities, what evaluation it has made of the UK Government’s National security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published in January 2026.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
-
Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 10 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding bioaerosols in the salmon sector, what assessment it has made of their prevalence or impact in the farming industry, including any implications for workers’ health and safety, and what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the monitoring and regulation of their use.
Answer
I recognise the seriousness of the issue of workplace health and safety, and the Scottish Government fully expects employers to maintain workplaces that are safe for workers in line with health and safety legislation.
The Scottish Government has not made any assessment of the prevalence or impact of bioaerosols in Scotland’s salmon production sector, or the implication for workers’ health and safety.
Regarding workplace health and safety and Scottish Government discussions with the Health and Safety Executive, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-42856 on 21 January 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/written-questions-and-answers.
