Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22869 on 8 May 2009 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

In my speeches to the Oxford Farming Conference on 6 January 2009 and the NFU Scotland National Council on 20 February 2009, I set out the Scottish Government''s vision for a future agriculture and rural policy based on the concept of Natural Resource Productivity. The leaflet was produced as a short summary of that vision, for use to support the government''s work in influencing policy development in Scotland''s interests, in particular at the European level. Officials dealing with agriculture policy, the Scotland Rural Development Programme, and food policy were involved in drafting the leaflet which was produced for me in March 2009, printed at a cost of £941.45, and put on the Scottish Government website on 8 April 2009.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22869 on 8 May 2009 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Marine (Scotland) Bill was submitted to the Scottish Parliament on 29 April 2009. It does not include provisions for a coastal protection zone.

Science is central to our aspirations for marine management in Scotland, and to the role and responsibilities of Marine Scotland. We believe there are benefits for marine management in integrating science with policy development, delivery and other functions so that informed, holistic advice can be provided and appropriate, informed decisions can be made. There are also efficiency and value for money benefits for Scotland.

We also recognise the importance of assuring scientific objectivity and credibility within the new arrangements and, to that end, will be appointing a panel of independent experts to a Science Advisory Board to assure the quality and independence of science.

The Scottish Government supports any scheme or initiative that enables consumers to make a more informed choice about the food they purchase.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22989 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

A task force to look at the urban gull problem in Dumfries was set up following the Urban Gull Summit held in Dumfries in June 2008. One of the group''s recommendations was to trial the flying of a falcon over the town centre to deter nesting and breeding attempts by gulls. Funding of £76,340.15 (plus VAT) has been awarded from the Contract Research Fund to engage the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) to carry out this trial and assess its effectiveness as a deterrent measure.

The nesting and breeding success of gulls during 2009 will be evaluated and compared with data for the previous nine years to inform a cost-benefit analysis of the trial. This will determine whether an application for a further two years funding from the Contract Research Fund should be progressed.

The Scottish Government will not be funding the use of a falcon as a deterrent in other areas. However, the findings of the Dumfries project will be available to other local authorities and may potentially assist them in formulating local approaches to dealing with urban gull problems.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22989 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22989 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.