Chamber and committees

Since 1 April 2005, therehave been 71 appeals allowed across Scotland. Of these, two were in North Ayrshire.

In taking forward their workon the Uist Wader Project, Scottish Natural Heritage has given full considerationto Bristol University’s findings on the effects of translocating hedgehogs.

The Scottish Executive’s EcologicalAdvisers Unit have also reviewed these findings and support the SNH view that thefindings of the Bristol University work do not provide robust scientific evidenceto support any change in the approach adopted by the project to protect the wadingbird population of the Uists.

I understand that Scottish NaturalHeritage has sought and obtained the involvement of the Scottish Society for thePrevention of Cruelty to Animals in all aspects of the Uist Wader Project with aview to ensuring that all operations pertaining to the project are carried out ashumanely as possible.

Self-sufficiency is notcalculated at the Scotland level because internal trade figures are notrecorded. UK figures for 2005 show that the UK wasaround 74% self-sufficient for beef and veal. We operate in an open economy andimports are likely to continue. Meanwhile, a significant proportion of Scottishbeef is exported to other parts of the UK. From 3 May 2006, Scottish producers will also havethe opportunity to re‑enter wider European markets. Our aim is tocontinue to promote the development of the beef sector which produces a qualityproduct of real importance to the Scottish economy.

Themain functions of Scotland Against Drugs (SAD), including the schools programme,transferred to NHS Health Scotland from 1 April 2006. Health Scotland, the Health Promoting Schools Unit and Learning TeachingScotland will take forward the drugs education element of SAD’s work programme withinthe context of the health promoting schools approach.

In addition, all schools in Scotland willcontinue to provide drugs education as part of the 5-14 Health Education guidelines. The Executive’s Know the Scorecommunications strategy will also continue to run targeted campaigns which provideinformation about drugs, their effects and where help can be obtained. The strategyis supported by a free telephone information line and a dedicated website. The rangeof Know the Score materials is available to Directors of Education for usein schools.

Decisions on treatment interventionsand options for addressing other needs are for individual patients and their medicaland social professionals. We are encouraging a wide range of options: increasingthe range of treatments available locally was one of three criteria for allocatingthe additional £4 million of drug treatment funding available from 2005-06.

The Scottish Executive provided£75,000 over 2005-07 to the Scottish Network for Families Affected by Drugs (SNFAD).The funding is used to run a national telephone line to support families affectedby drug misuse and to assist community based groups which providesupport to families of drug addicts. Detailed information on the services availableat a local level is available by contacting the relevant Alcohol and Drug ActionTeam.

Our strategy for tackling drugmisuse is focused on outcomes such as the drug-free life, the crime-free life anda journey back into education, family life or employment. That means offering awide range of options to those seeking help, tailored to individual needs and circumstance.A variety of approaches, which are all effective when used appropriately, can contributeto recovery – abstinence approaches, residential approaches, detoxification approachesand harm reduction approaches.

Drug action teams are responsiblefor the strategic planning and co-ordination of action to tackle drug misuse intheir area. When developing drug treatmentand rehabilitation services, drug action teams and their local partners assess thelevel of need in their areas and have to ensure that the treatment needs of theirlocal drug using population are met.

There have been no formal discussionswith animal welfare organisations regarding the export of calves from Scottish farms.

It was agreed in March 2006 thatEU restrictions on exports from the UK in respect of beef and live animals born after 1 August 1996 wouldbe lifted. We expect that decision to be formally in place on 29 April 2006. the Executive would be acting illegally should it apply measures which prohibitwhat will shortly be a legitimate trade.