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-01415

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the outcome of its consultation into phasing out cages for gamebirds and laying hens.

Question reference: S7W-01178

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms ensure compliance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in cases of alleged land damage, and which body is responsible for investigating or taking enforcement action in cases of repeated breaches.

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.

Question reference: S7W-01395

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 27 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether the current enforcement regime for farmed fish welfare is adequate, in light of reports that the Animal and Plant Health Agency took no enforcement action following inspection reports recording mass mortality incidents Scottish fish farms, including some involving suffocation and hydrogen sulphide build-up.

Question reference: S7W-01146

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce marine litter in 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.

Our many actions to prevent litter include: working across the four nations to ban the sale of wet wipes containing plastic, with legislation laid before the Scottish Parliament on 12 February 2026; improving the management of end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear to reduce litter and improve recycling rates, contributing to our circular economy; and developing international solutions to prevent microplastic pollution in the form of plastic pellets, often known as nurdles. Litter removal actions include: funding the KIMO Fishing for Litter scheme, to assist the correct disposal of litter caught in fishing nets; and funding the Keep Scotland Beautiful Upstream Battle project, preventing and removing litter along rivers which could ultimately end up in the marine environment.

Question reference: S7W-01236

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to phase out or prohibit the maceration of live male chicks, and, if not, for what reason.

Question reference: S7W-01232

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken any assessment of the animal welfare implications of the culling of live male chicks by maceration.

Question reference: S7W-01237

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of public attitudes towards the maceration of live male chicks.

Question reference: S7W-01234

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how permitting the culling of live male chicks by maceration aligns with its stated commitment to maintaining high animal welfare standards.

Question reference: S7W-01233

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of practices by countries or jurisdictions that have prohibited, restricted or phased out the culling of live male chicks by maceration, and what consideration it has given to adopting similar measures in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-01238

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with representatives of the poultry industry regarding alternatives to the maceration of live male chicks.