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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S7W-01475

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with industry, scientific and animal welfare stakeholders regarding the development of welfare standards for the humane handling and slaughter of decapod crustaceans.

Question reference: S7W-01479

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to develop statutory codes of practice relating to the welfare of decapod crustaceans in (a) commercial fishery (b) aquaculture, (c) distribution or (d) retail settings.

Question reference: S7W-01452

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is currently taking to protect wild Atlantic salmon after they leave freshwater and enter Scotland’s marine area, and what further measures it plans to introduce.

Question reference: S7W-01480

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness and uptake of voluntary industry codes relating to the welfare of decapod crustaceans.

Question reference: S7W-01484

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether existing legislation provides adequate welfare protections for decapod crustaceans, in light of their recognition as sentient animals.

Question reference: S7W-01474

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the welfare implications of the live boiling of decapod crustaceans and, if so, whether it is considering any legislative or regulatory changes.

Question reference: S7W-01472

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the recognition of decapod crustaceans as sentient animals gives rise to any need to amend or update the provisions or operation of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Question reference: S7W-01473

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a statutory duty of care for individuals responsible for the keeping, handling or transportation of decapod crustaceans.

Question reference: S7W-01483

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the welfare of decapod crustaceans, in light of their recognition as sentient animals.

Question reference: S7W-01491

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the scale of land ownership in Scotland by overseas (a) individuals and (b) state entities.