- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Marine Conservation Society 2024 report, State of our Beaches, which records that drinks-related litter was found on 95% of the beaches surveyed.
Answer
The Scottish Government thanks the Marine Conservation Society and all the many volunteers for their excellent work in monitoring beach litter and cleaning our shores. Citizen science is valued, and in combination with data from our scientists and our wider international monitoring programme, it is useful in helping us prioritise policy development to effectively reduce marine litter.
Drinks related litter on our shores is entirely avoidable, and that is why we remain committed to the delivery of a successful Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use drinks containers. This scheme is expected to increase recycling rates for these containers to at least 90% and reduce litter on our beaches while supporting the growth of a more circular economy.
We are working closely with industry and the other UK government to launch a DRS in October 2027.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (a) publish its review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 and (b) outline its next steps to improve the welfare of dogs.
Answer
The Review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers)(Scotland) Act 2020 was published on 4 April. In that review we committed to consult on prohibiting the use of remote control static pulse training collars. We are currently working to regulate the activities of the canine facility sector. We are also developing a Code of Practice that will ensure the transparent and safe transfer of ownership of any puppy and dog, as required under the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2025.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Marine Conservation Society 2024 report, State of our Beaches, which records that, compared with 2023, there had been an increase of 7.2% in items of litter found on the beaches surveyed.
Answer
The Scottish Government thanks the Marine Conservation Society and all the many volunteers for their excellent work in monitoring beach litter and cleaning our shores. Citizen science is valued, and in combination with data from our scientists and our wider international monitoring programme, it is useful in helping us prioritise policy development to effectively reduce marine litter.
Marine litter is a global challenge and we are working both nationally and internationally to share the development of solutions. We are currently focused on the most problematic of litter items including fishing gear, nurdles, and wet wipes containing plastic. Our work is set out in our Marine Litter Strategy Action Plan, and responsibility for its delivery is shared between the Scottish Government and multiple partners, with progress coordinated through a steering group of which the Marine Conservation Society is a valued member. We are also taking action through our National Litter and Fly-Tipping Strategy to reduce land sources of litter which can make their way into our seas.
It takes time for implemented policies and legislation to begin to be reflected in beach litter levels, such as the ban on plastic-stemmed cotton buds from 2019, and the ban on other single-use items including polystyrene food containers from 2022. With more measures and legislation expected in the future; banning wet wipes containing plastic and a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, we expect to see these litter levels reduce.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 24 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the Marine Conservation Society 2024 report, State of our Beaches, which records that over 22,000 wet wipes were found on the beaches surveyed and, in light of this, whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made towards a ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic.
Answer
The Scottish Government thanks the Marine Conservation Society and their volunteers for their considerable efforts in gathering the data within the State of Our Beaches 2024 report, and also removing beach litter during these surveys. Their citizen science is vital in helping us prioritise future policy and legislation development.
We recognise that marine litter is an important national and international problem and have prioritised action through the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland to ensure that the amount of litter entering the marine environment is minimised to bring ecological, economic and social benefits.
We published our refreshed Marine Litter Strategy in September 2022, which sets out a co-ordinated approach to address the amount of litter entering the marine environment, and supports the removal of debris that is already there. The updated strategy contains multiple actions on the most problematic types of marine litter including sewage-related debris and wet wipes. We are working across the four nations to put an end to pollution caused by wet wipes containing plastic, with legislation forthcoming.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the May 2028 deadline for farmers and crofters to have completed habitat maps is consistent with its target of reversing biodiversity decline by 2030.
Answer
Farmers and crofters are required to complete at least two of the five Whole Farm Plan audits, including a habitat map for the Biodiversity Audit requirement, by May 2025. All five audits will need to be completed by May 2028.
The habitat map can be completed by farmers and crofters without the need to employ a third party and should be seen as a first step towards considering the biodiversity present on their holding. There are multiple ways to create the habitat map, and previously submitted Farm Environmental Assessment (FEA) maps can also be accepted if updated. Detailed guidance is available on the Rural Payments website and the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) has created an online guide with advice, videos and Frequently Asked Questions.
Significant investment has already been made to support nature-positive farming. Our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) has supported over 230 projects aimed at restoring habitats, wildlife, and climate resilience since 2021. This investment directly contributes to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045, including embedding nature-positive farming, fishing, and forestry.
The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme(AECS)remains a priority, with the 2024 round increasing funding by £3.9 million compared to the previous year. AECS is expected to continue until 2026, delivering vital Tier 3 environmental measures, before transitioning to new Elective Support from 2027. Additionally, the Future Farming Investment Scheme (FFIS), with a funding allocation of £14 million, has been introduced to support climate-friendly farming, enhance efficiency, and promote environmental sustainability. The development of Enhanced Greening will provide further biodiversity benefits, ensuring farmers and crofters have access to a range of options to contribute to Scotland’s biodiversity goals.
By embedding biodiversity mapping into farming operations, offering simplified processes, and the piloting of innovative tools like NatureScot’s Farm Biodiversity Scotland digital tool, the Scottish Government is creating a strong framework to halt biodiversity decline. These measures, alongside continued investment, collectively empower Scotland’s agricultural sector to meet the 2030 biodiversity targets with confidence, while ensuring agricultural sustainability.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 22 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-24187 by Patrick Harvie on 19 January 2024, whether it will provide an update on the average processing time for a Home Energy Scotland (a) grant and (b) loan application.
Answer
In the 12 month period covering March 2024 to February 2025, under the contract between Scottish Government and Energy Saving Trust, 97% of fully completed applications received across all schemes within the contract were processed within 10 working days.
The percentage processed relates to unique applications received in the period and cannot be broken down between schemes or separately by grant and loan. The average processing time is not tracked and reported on.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 17 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35438 by Gillian Martin on 20 March 2025, whether it has adapted the approach of the UN report and, if so, how it arrived at the specific target of "seeking [a] reduction of Scotland's extraction of raw materials by one third", in light of the country's specific circumstances.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the findings of the UN report and the need to promote sustainable resource use.
As well as the recent UN report noted in S6W-35438, Zero Waste Scotland was also influenced by recent Circularity Gap Reports in setting its Corporate Plan target. These highlighted the importance of cutting material consumption by one third:
https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023#download
https://www.circularity-gap.world/2024#download
The Circular Economy and Waste Route Map sets out the Scottish Government’s intention to set its own circular economy targets by 2027.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-circular-economy-waste-route-map-2030/
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 April 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the education secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding what action is being taken to reduce vaping in schools.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2025
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 11 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the fixed quota allocation set out in Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 is fit for purpose, and whether it will consider adopting the quota application mechanism pilot programme that is being rolled out in England.
Answer
As the name suggests, England is piloting a Quota Application Mechanism (QAM). The QAM initiative commenced in 2024 and included three of the roughly 100 stocks which Fisheries Administrations distribute. In 2025 they have expanded the pilot to include five stocks.
The Scottish Government has implemented an initiative for application for quota in 2025 for West of Scotland cod. In allocating this quota, we seek to incentivise vessels which can evidence a reduced environmental impact and/or greater selectivity of catch in their fishing operations.
Fixed Quota Allocation units (FQAs) are used to apportion the larger portion of the UK’s quotas (roughly 85% in 2025) between the four fisheries administrations. Therefore, any discussion as to the Fixed Quota Allocation system being fit for purpose would require to be held between the devolved administrations, UK Government, the fishing industry (and associated stakeholders) and through public consultation.
The Scottish Government has been clear, since the publication of its outcomes to public consultations in 2021 and in 2024, that it will not use FQAs to distribute a defined share of its quotas. That equates to 15% of Scotland’s total quotas in 2025; this is roughly analogous to the methodology by which the UK distributes these fishing opportunities between the devolved administrations.
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 9 April 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery Plan.
Answer
Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery Plan update was published on 20 March 2025 and can be accessed via this link: Scotland's Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery Plan.
