Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested centrally.

We remain committed to the provision of a community hearing service, however, there is no community hearing service at this time; a rephasing of funding has meant that not all the challenges we are facing will be addressed in a single budget. A new model of care suitable for the Scottish context, would address pressing issues faced by all health boards.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 2025. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 2025. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 2025. 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

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot. Minutes of Ministerial meetings are not published routinely.

I last met with the BBC on 27 January 2025 for an introductory meeting with the new BBC Scotland Director. This meeting was arranged at my request to explore how the BBC can improve its support for Scotland-based productions and grow our broadcasting sector. The First Minister had an introductory meeting with the new BBC Scotland Director on 20 February. I have no future meetings currently scheduled with the BBC.

Over the last five years, several matters within my portfolio have been discussed with the BBC, including: plans and opportunities in Scotland; the BBC’s annual report and reports published by the regulator, Ofcom; the Media Bill and subsequent Media Act 2024; the BBC’s delivery of programmes and skills training; and the BBC’s provision of services and plans to grow the broadcasting sector in Scotland.

The regulatory requirement relating to training is contained in Chapter XII of Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs and is a general requirement that food handlers be supervised, instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity. Those responsible for establishing a food safety management system within a food business based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles or for the operation of relevant guides must have received adequate training in the application of those principles. Beyond this there must be compliance with any specific requirements stated in law.

Whilst much of what Food Standards Scotland (FSS) provides falls into the categories of guidance or advice, FSS does provide online training materials in relation to allergens:

• Online Allergy Training | Food Standards Scotland
• Advanced Online Allergen Training | Food Standards Scotland

FSS also offers tools for fresh produce and safe smoked fish to assist relevant food businesses produce safe food:

• Fresh Produce Tool | Food Standards Scotland
• Safe Smoked Fish Tool | Food Standards Scotland

Many food businesses make use of our CookSafe Manual, guidance and templates when planning their HACCP based management systems. Cooksafe is particularly aimed at caterers and provides instructions to develop procedures to fit the business needs.

If asked for direction to training, FSS advice is to contact the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). A section of their website dedicated to training, which can be found here Community Training - REHIS.

As part of its competent authority role Food Standards Scotland (FSS) monitors and enforces regulations in marine waters, slaughterhouses, standalone cutting plants, game handling establishments, feed, and wine business, throughout the length and breadth of Scotland including on the Islands and all remote areas where a business is located.

As part of its assurance role, FSS is required independently to audit delivery of official controls carried out by FSS and take appropriate measures in the light of the results of those audits. The audits shall be subject to independent scrutiny and conducted in a transparent manner.

FSS have a primary responsibility to monitor the performance of, and promote best practice by, enforcement authorities enforcing food legislation in Scotland.

The overarching aim is to provide assurance that the delivery of official controls for food and feed is compliant with Scottish and UK legal requirements and official guidance.

The audit programme is risk-based, and all reports are published.

https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/business-and-industry/safety-and-regulation/audit-and-monitoring

As direct imports into Scotland are a small proportion of food placed on the market in Scotland, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) funded surveillance is undertaken on a risk basis and will include imported food when certain goods, irrespective of origin, are considered a higher risk to consumers (for example smoked fish or raw milk cheeses). Imported food must meet at least the same regulatory standards as domestically produced food and the legislative basis for the import checks that apply is set out in what is known as “the official controls regulation” (OCR). The OCR is in process of being amended to implement the Border Target Operating Model which was published by the UK Government in 2023. Responsibility for enforcement of import controls and food safety standards (other than in certain meat establishments) is the responsibility of local authorities.

The Scottish Government is committed to modernising deer management to tackle high deer numbers, specifically in order to help us to achieve our biodiversity and carbon objectives. We continue to pursue a range of actions to deliver this commitment.

The Scottish Government’s future legislative programme has been set out as part of the 2024-25 Programme for Government. The Natural Environment Bill was introduced to parliament on 20 February 2025 and will bring forward significant reforms to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.

In addition to this we are working on the Deer Working Group recommendations that do not require primary legislation through the Strategic Deer Board.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), is the executive agency which manages Scotland’s national forests and land. The majority of deer management on land owned by the Scottish Government on behalf of the nation is undertaken by FLS. Alongside land owned by the Scottish Government, public bodies also manage deer on public land they are responsible for. A number of these bodies are represented on the Strategic Deer Board.

The primary reasons for the deer management activities on Scottish government-owned land is as follows.

Forestry and Land Scotland

FLS culls deer primarily in order to protect, enhance and restore a wide range of woodland across the 640,000 hectares of public forests and land which it manages which can be damaged by deer overgrazing and trampling vulnerable habitats, preventing young trees from growing. The proportion of the cull carried out for ‘environmental protection’ purposes is 96%-100%. FLS also cull deer to protect grazings and crops as and when required. The proportion of the cull carried out for agricultural purposes is 0%-4%. They do not carry out culling for population control purposes.

NatureScot

The primary reason for deer culling on NatureScot-owned land is environmental protection. This information is not broken down proportionally.

Scottish Water  

The primary reasons for deer culling on Scottish Water land include for population control, environmental protection and agricultural purposes. This information is not broken down proportionately.