Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is committed to improving laying hen welfare and in 2024 consulted on proposals to phase out cages in Scotland’s laying hen sector. Analysis of the responses received continues. More recently we agreed to jointly consult with the other devolved administrations on phasing out the use of cages for laying hens, pullets and breeding hens.

The analysis of the responses to both consultations will inform future policy to ensure that improvements in poultry welfare are achieved and that Scottish producers are not disadvantaged compared to their wider UK counterparts.

We will continue to listen and work with the industry and stakeholders on how best to achieve improvements in animal welfare as well as monitoring industry information to allow us to determine how to ensure best practice is delivered.

The Scottish Government keeps farm animal welfare legislation under review to ensure it reflects the latest evidence and maintains Scotland’s high welfare standards. We have recently updated the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations and continue to work with stakeholders to identify and implement further improvements where appropriate. Scottish Government has committed to update the Welfare Codes of sheep and cattle in partnership with Defra and devolved administrations and we have recently published updated Codes for pig welfare. We are working with devolved administrations and Defra on improving welfare of lambs undergoing castration and tail docking by promoting suitable anaesthesia and analgesia.

Scottish Government Ministers have raised the unfair distribution of funds from the Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund with UK Ministers on many occasions, most recently in the letter of 28 July from the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Regrettably, UK Ministers have shown very little interest and have indicated they believe the matter is closed.

However, Scottish Government Ministers will continue to raise this topic until a satisfactory resolution is achieved.

The Scottish Government undertakes work to improve public awareness and knowledge of animal welfare matters on an ongoing basis and recognises the importance of continuing to educate and inform the wider public on the best practice for animal welfare.

Recent examples include the publication of updated welfare guidance for pigs and ongoing work on updating welfare guidance for equidae, cattle and sheep, and funding support for Farm Advisory Service events providing education on new tail docking and castration techniques for lambs, among a range of other education and awareness work.

The £1.3 million allocated in the 2026-27 Budget is supporting the development of skills needed for the transition to sustainable and regenerative farming and food production. We are targeting that funding, on provision of training, advice and knowledge exchange for farmers, crofters, new entrants and rural businesses. The aim is to encourage businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to adopt sustainable practices aligned to the principles contained in the Code of practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Practice. Final decisions on any adjustments to allocation will be taken in due course.

The Scottish Government recognises concerns about the welfare impacts of conventional farrowing crates and remains committed to our 2021-2022 Programme for Government commitment to consult and I welcomed the commitment by the new UK Government in its Animal Welfare Strategy to consult on phasing out farrowing crates, and I have confirmed that we will consult jointly on this issue.

In developing its position, the Scottish Government has considered evidence on sow and piglet welfare, including research funded through Scotland’s Rural University College on alternative farrowing systems, alongside wider scientific evidence, stakeholder views (including a summit of stakeholders from all sides at Holyrood) and industry experience.

The Scottish Government continues to listen and work with the industry and stakeholders on how best to achieve improvements in animal welfare as well as monitoring industry information to allow us to determine how to ensure best practice is delivered.

The Marine Directorate continuously reviews to ensure that its duties and functions are being discharged in accordance with all relevant existing regulatory regimes and legislative requirements. This includes all requirements under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. No dedicated review or reform of the Directorate is therefore expected in this regard as it is already considered as part of the Directorate’s business as usual approaches.

Marine Directorate - Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) has concluded enquiries into the possible pollution incident at Loch Hourn. The outcome is currently under review and findings will be confirmed by the end of August 2026.

Please find the following tables setting out Environment and Forestry Directorate research funding provided by Scottish Government to our Main Research Providers, The James Hutton Institute, Moredun Research Institute, Scotland's Rural College and The Rowett Institute in each of the last 10 years. Also provided is proposed allocations for the Scottish Government’s 5 year Strategic Research Programme 2027-32. It should be noted that additional Scottish Government funding has and will be available in future to agricultural institutes through wider initiatives including, but not limited to, City Deals and the Just Transition fund.

Strategic Research Funding 2016-26 (£)

The Scottish Government is taking a range of actions to promote and support sustainable fishing practices in Scotland’s waters through the implementation of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 as set out in the Strategy's 2025 Delivery Plan . Scotland already has a strong fisheries management framework based on quotas, effort controls and technical regulations, and we continue to build on these foundations through measures that support sustainable fishing practices while balancing economic, environmental and social objectives.

We use quota management to encourage sustainable fishing, including dedicated allocations for the non-sector fleet such as 1,000 tonnes of North Sea mackerel for handline fishing. In 2025, we also introduced an initiative that provides access to additional west of Scotland cod quota for vessels using selective fishing gear and techniques or demonstrating a reduced environmental impact.

We are further strengthening sustainable fisheries management through the development of 21 of the UK’s 43 Fisheries Management Plans, the introduction of mandatory remote monitoring on high-risk fishing vessels, and work to improve fishing selectivity and reduce bycatch. The Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement Programme will also deliver a step-change for fisheries management — supporting a resilient, evidence-led and regionally tailored approach for the diverse and innovative inshore fisheries sector. All these measures demonstrate our commitment to ensuring Scotland’s fisheries remain productive, resilient and environmentally sustainable for future generations.