Chamber and committees

Three issue-based working groups have recently been established by the National Group to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland. These are: a working group to review all current legislation relating to domestic abuse, a working group to review current recommendations on levels of refuge provision in Scotland and a working group to prepare a prevention strategy. The Prevention Strategy Working Group met for the first time on 20 November, the other two groups will meet later this month.

A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, which I published in June, outlined the need to improve the identification of markets at home and abroad for Scottish agricultural produce. In the awarding of grants for the processing and marketing of agricultural products, priority is given to businesses that seek to increase exports. The Scottish Executive will continue to support all sectors of the agri-food industry in developing plans to improve exports.

The information requested is not held centrally.

No date has yet been arranged for a meeting of the cross-sector steering group referred to in Action 54 of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. The main trade union involved with the agriculture industry was offered the opportunity to contribute to the development of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. They did not submit a response to the consultation document, but I will continue to ensure that they are involved in the process.I am well aware of the contribution women make to Scotland's farming and food industries, and I will continue to try to ensure that this is reflected across the range of bodies established by the Executive.

Veterinary medicines remain the responsibility of the Westminster Parliament. The marketing authorisations for organophosphate (OP) sheep dips has been suspended, pending satisfactory completion of plans being developed by marketing authorisation holders for closed systems for transferring OP dip concentrate from its container into the dip bath.

Health and safety in the workplace is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and remains the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Health and safety in the workplace is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and remains the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18259.

In appointing the membership of the sounding board and the academic panel, the Scottish Executive sought to achieve a mix of experience, organisational affiliations, geographical coverage and gender. Unfortunately not all the women who were asked to participate were able to join.

However, membership of these groups is not closed and we are currently seeking additional members in order to cover specific issues that arise as the review develops.

I have asked the Forestry Commission to invite different groups with an interest in the social, economic and environmental benefits of forestry, to participate in a Scottish Forestry Forum. Key tasks of the forum will be to promote discussion about how to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits of forestry in Scotland; to consider how Scottish forestry can best contribute to the wider rural development agenda in Scotland, and to ensure that successful progress is made in taking forward the Scottish Forestry Strategy. The forum will also have a role in disseminating information about implementation of the strategy; identifying areas where more effort is needed, and, when the time comes in three or four years time, assisting with the review of the strategy. The forum will probably meet about once a year and it will be supported by a steering group that will meet more frequently.