Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive has noplans to make Scotland a Maedi Visna accredited area.

Any strategy for Scottish recreationalsea angling should have as its starting point objective data about the scale, characterand economic impact of the sport. The Scottish Government has commissioned GlasgowCaledonian University to undertake a study to look at these issues. We expect thestudy to report later this year.

There is currently a lack ofobjective data about the scale, character and economic impact of recreational seaangling in Scotland. The Scottish Government has commissioned Glasgow Caledonian University toundertake a study to look at these things. We expect the study to report later thisyear.

The sharing of costs foranimal health and welfare between government and industry is not a new concept.Many activities supporting the Scottish Government’s animal health and welfareobjectives have cost implications for both government and industry. Such costsare recognised in the development of policy and any specific proposals would,in line with normal Scottish Government practices, be subject to fullconsultation.

The agreement reached atDecember Council effectively prevents any targeted fishery of spurdog by any EUvessel in the north-east Atlantic. We believe this provides sufficient protection forthe stock and therefore have no plans to introduce closed areas.

The Scottish Government believes that there is no significant directed fishery on any of these species by Scottish vessels. The best protection for these species will be to focus on the reduction of by-catch and discarding generally. The Scottish Government is committed to working with the industry to develop measures designed to reduce all discards in the coming year.

The eligibility rules under the Scottish Rural Development Plan effectively preclude support for training for thefood processing sector. This was not apparent when the Operational Programmes forthe European Social Fund (ESF) were being negotiated with the European Commission.To avoid the risk of dual eligibility and potential double funding, ESF programmesspecifically exclude such training. This was clearly set out in the draft programmesthat went out to public consultation in October 2006.

the Scottish Government is involved in on-going discussions with the food processingsector, geared towards addressing the issue of funding for food sector training.In particular, a discussion is taking place on a national food policy, demonstratingour commitment to the future of the Scottish food industry. This discussion willhelp identify key issues and future opportunities for production of food.

With ministerial support, officialsin the European Structural Funds Division are currently pursuing with the EuropeanCommission the case for adjusting the two Scottish ESF programmes to include thefood sector. While this would not in itself guarantee European Social Fund support,it would allow projects from the food sector to compete for funding with other eligibleprojects.

The Scottish Government has noimmediate plans to pursue a disease control levy. There are wider discussions currentlyon-going at the European and UK levels on the wider responsibility and cost sharingagenda between government and industry and the Scottish Government will be discussingsuch issues with stakeholders in the New Year.

A pilot Real Time Closures schemewas introduced in Scotland on 1 September 2007. Fifty-four samples have been takenand to date there have been no closures asthe level of juvenile cod on any monitored voyages has not reached the trigger point,though examples of behavioural change on the part of fishermen avoiding small codhave been noted. The trigger point was originally set at 60 juveniles per hour’sfishing effort and was subsequently reduced on 8 November 2007 to 50 juvenilesper hour’s fishing effort. So far the scheme is voluntary and there is no obligationon vessels to report quantities of fish discarded prior to landing. We expect to expand the scheme in 2008.

The information requested isnot available centrally.