Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has worked closely with DEFRA, and other parts of the UK Plant Health Service, in relation to Xylellafastidiosa. An example of this is by participation by officials in the monthly UK Plant Health Risk Group meetings. This is a UK-wide cross Government department group, chaired by DEFRA, that reviews threats to plant health.

The on-going threat of Xylella has been discussed monthly at Plant Health Risk Group meetings. The Group also prepares the UK positions for discussions on this pathogen which are held frequently at the monthly EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF).

The Scottish Government recognises the threat posed by Xylellafastidiosa to Scotland’s ecosystem and a pest risk analysis (PRA) on Xylellafastidiosa was initiated following consideration of the pathogen by the UK Plant Health Risk Group. The PRA was published, following stakeholder consultation, in June 2014 and assesses the pathogen’s potential to cause economic, environmental and social impacts in the UK, including Scotland.

There is uncertainty as to the degree of damage that may result if the pathogen was to become established in the UK and the PRA is kept under review given the on-going threat.

The Scottish Government is aware of the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety vote on 22 June which did not support an attempt by Conservative MEP, Julie Girling, to halt a proposed ban by the European Commission on the outdoor use of neonicotinoid insecticides.

Restrictions were placed on the use of these neonicotinoids in 2013 to prevent their use on crops with flowers attractive to bees. These restrictions were fully implemented in Scotland and the rest of the UK. The Scottish Government awaits the outcome of the European Food Safety Authority's main review of the neonicotinoids, expected to be published towards the second half of the year.

Over and above city region deals The Scottish Government is engaged in a number of discussions with regions developing proposals for economic growth. Deals offer the potential for new collaborative regional partnerships, focused on long-term strategic approaches to improving regional economies.

My officials are working with Argyll & Bute; the 3 Ayrshire Councils; Falkirk; Moray; Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles, who are working together to develop an Island approach and The Borderlands to understand proposals and priorities.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with all our cities and regions; urban and rural to unlock investment. This could be individually or collectively and could be through a Deal, one of the SG’s devolved initiatives to stimulate growth and deliver infrastructure investment, or a combination of measures.

The Scottish Government is working with a number of regional partners who have developed economic growth proposals to realise opportunities across Scotland, capitalising upon local knowledge and resources to deliver more equal growth across the country.

Deals whether city, region or rural offer the potential for new collaborative regional partnerships focused on long term strategic approaches to improving economies.

The starting point should be a regional strategic vision for economic development. Each deal is bespoke and can include a package of measures designed to work as a coherent whole. Any deal must however support a long term focus on the priorities required to deliver Scotland's Economic Strategy - inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10213 on 19 July 2017, on whether the Scottish Government will introduce local or rural growth deals.

We welcome The Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee inquiry on city region deals. A call for written evidence as part of its scrutiny of city region deals was launched in April 2017. The Committee is considering the written submissions received before agreeing its next steps. The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government and regional partners to ensure robust governance and accountability is built in to city region deals and will consider carefully any issues raised by the Committee and respond appropriately.

The National Council of Rural Advisers has been established to provide advice and recommendations on future rural policy and support to help create a vibrant, sustainable and productive rural economy. Members have been appointed to the Council on the basis of their expertise and knowledge of the rural economy gained from living and working Scotland’s in rural communities.