Chamber and committees

The expert panel’s function is to develop alternative models to better manage Scottish fisheries. It will be for the panel to decide whether and what legal advice is required as part of their research.

I will make an announcement on the expert panel on alternatives to the common fisheries policy shortly. The panel will comprise a small number of experts taking evidence from a wide range of stakeholders.

Yes. I believe the expert panel report will provide a valuable contribution to developing fisheries policies in Scotland and to the wider debate across Europe on reform of the common fisheries policy.

I would expect the expert panel to seek the views from a wide range of stakeholders in Scotland, the UK, Europe and beyond in the course of their considerations. I fully expect that the work of the panel will be of great interest to the UK Government, other member states, the European Community and countries beyond the EU.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12448 on 14 May 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search.

As set out in the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2008, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be considered for procurement through the non-profit distributing model.

Before the appointment of the panel which produced the Sullivan Report, officials consulted with the Energy Saving Trust, Friends of the Earth, Energy Action Scotland, Sustainable Development Commission, WWF and the Carbon Trust.  These stakeholders were invited to consider issues for the built environment which needed to be addressed by the panel and some also suggested appropriate candidates for membership. Meetings took place during July and August 2007 and all stakeholders highlighted the importance of addressing the need to reduce emissions from existing buildings as part of the wider issue of improving the energy performance and reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of Scotland''s buildings.

The Scottish Government will issue its planned consultation on the energy performance of buildings as soon as possible. The Scottish Government website contains the latest information on all forthcoming consultations, including the anticipated consultation period. This can be viewed by following this link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Forthcoming.

Accurate information from the Farm Animal Welfare Council about the amount of imported pig meat and the welfare conditions under which these pigs are raised will assist retailers, processors, manufactures, caterers and consumers make an informed choice about purchasing a product which meets the high standards of pig welfare by Scottish pig producers. The development of the national food policy will take careful consideration of all responses received from the national discussion phase, along with all relevant analytical evidence.

We understand that the French government is offering tax rebates and help with interest payments on loans. In order to comply with State aid de minimis rules, support for individual enterprises is limited to 7,500 euros over a three year period. I am asking the Pig Industry Task Force to consider the implications of the French initiative for Scotland, recognising that taxation is a reserved matter.