Chamber and committees

The Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone has been designated on the basis of criteria set out at Annex IA(3) of the EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC), i.e. that the estuary is eutrophic, or in the near future may become eutrophic.

During its 1997 review of eutrophic waters, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) concluded that the Ythan estuary met three of the criteria for eutrophication set out in guidance issued by the Scottish Office to regulatory authorities on assessing the eutrophic status of estuaries and coastal waters. These included changes in macrophyte growth, changes in fauna, and elevated nitrate concentrations.

SEPA also supported the conclusion of its predecessor body, the North East River Purification Board, that agriculture is the main source of nitrate pollution in the Ythan catchment. In these circumstances, Article 3 of the Directive requires all known areas of land which drain into the estuary to be designated as a vulnerable zone.

Additional evidence of high levels of nitrate in the surface waters of the Ythan catchment was reported by SEPA in 1999.

The only previously existing Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) in Scotland, at Balmacolm in Fife, was designated during 1996 on the basis of criteria set out at Annex IA(2) of the EC Nitrates Directive. Nitrate concentrations from water samples taken from the borehole at Balmalcolm indicated pollution in excess of the levels permitted by the Directive. Studies demonstrated that agriculture was the principal source of the nitrates. The boundaries of the NVZ were defined as the source catchment of the groundwater which was determined by modelling and the study of relevant hydrological features.

The Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone has been designated on the basis of criteria set out at Annex IA(3) of the EC Nitrates Directive(91/676/EEC) i.e. that the estuary is eutrophic, or in the near future may become eutrophic.

Waters are assessed by the Scottish Executive against criteria in the EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC). Article 3(1) of the Directive requires waters affected by pollution and waters which could be affected by pollution if action pursuant to Article 5 is not taken, to be identified in accordance with criteria set out in Annex I. The criteria are:

1. Whether surface freshwaters, in particular those used or intended for the abstraction of drinking waters, contain or could contain, if action pursuant to Article 5 of the Directive is not taken, more than the concentration of nitrates laid down in accordance with the Drinking Waters Directive (75/440/EEC);

2. Whether groundwaters contain more than 50mg/litre nitrates or could contain more than 50mg/litre nitrates if action pursuant to Article 5 is not taken; and

3. Whether natural freshwater lakes, other freshwater bodies, estuaries, coastal waters and marine waters are found to be eutrophic or in the near future may become eutrophic if action pursuant to Article 5 is not taken.

The Directive requires member states in applying these criteria to take into account:

1. The physical and environmental characteristics of waters and land;

2. The current understanding of the behaviour of nitrogen compounds in the environment (water and soil); and

3. The current understanding of the impact of the action taken pursuant to Article 5.

Article 3(2) requires all areas of land which drain into such waters to be designated as vulnerable zones.

I apologise for the delay in replying to this question; this was due to an administrative error.

At the time of discussions with French officials regarding exports of British beef to France, Scottish Ministers and their officials were at all times in regular contact with their opposite numbers in Whitehall. They were actively involved in determining the UK response to the French ban and participated in the relevant discussions in Brussels. When consulted the Scottish Executive at all times expressed full support for the approach taken by Her Majesty's Government.As the member will be aware, the discussions failed to resolve the problem, and the French Government maintained their ban on British beef. A prosecution case against the French Government for failure to implement the relevant Commission Decisions is now with the European Court of Justice.

I understand that, at this stage, Angus Council have the position of St Vigean's Primary School under review, but that there is no formal proposal to close the school. If, after further consideration, they propose to close the school, there is a statutory requirement, which applies to all school closure proposals, for consultation with parents and school boards. The statutory consultation process ensures that there is an opportunity for those consulted to make their views known to the authority at the appropriate time.

Decisions on school closures are generally for the local authorities, except in certain circumstances prescribed in statute where the consent of the Scottish Ministers is required. The main circumstances in which such consent is required are where the school concerned is more than 80% full, or where, in the case of a primary school, pupils would have to attend a different primary school which is 8.046720 kilometres (five miles) or more distant from the school proposed for closure. I have no information on whether such consent will be required in the event of a formal closure of St Vigean's. Angus Council are aware of the relevant statutory requirements.

The change in the base area arrangements under the Arable Area Payments Scheme which will lead to the specialist cereal growers in the Scottish non-Less Favoured Area receiving an additional £2.5 million was first announced on 26 August 1999. There were no further announcements until that made on 30 March 2000 when the assistance to specialist cereal growers was publicised along with the other measures.

Information on the percentage of children admitted to hospitals in Glasgow who are found to be suffering from malnutrition is not held by the Scottish Executive.

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is an important factor in the prevention of malnutrition. A number of dietary initiatives, in the context of the ongoing implementation of the Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health, are now underway with a view to enabling Scottish children to have access to a healthy diet.

The reference to projected annual spend on rural development measures was included in the section of Scottish Executive News Release SE0926/2000 which described activities in Scotland which parallel the Action Plan for Farming, or which are already underway.

This figure has not been announced by way of a formal News Release, although it has featured occasionally in speeches which have been quoted in the media.

The £2 million was first announced on 30 March 2000.

30 March 2000 was the first date on which additional agri-monetary compensation to Scottish dairy, beef and sheep farmers worth £12 million was announced.