Chamber and committees

The Farming and Food Production Future Policy Group was established by the Scottish Parliament as an independent stakeholder Group. As an independent Group, it is for the Group to determine when to publish, and how to present their recommendations to Parliament.

InfraStrata made contact with Scottish Government officials on 3 February 2021, confirming their intention to acquire the business and assets of BiFab through the Administration process. Officials in Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise have been in close contact with InfraStrata, and continue to work with them closely. I wrote at the time of the acquisition to InfraStrata, welcoming the announcement, and offering a meeting at the appropriate time.

The Scottish Government has considered all the relevant evidence and information carefully in developing our approach to green ports in Scotland. This includes commissioned research from Edinburgh University’s School of Economics; open source research, including from the UK Trade Policy Observatory at the University of Sussex; our own analysis of the available data and evidence; and regular engagement between Ministers and officials and UK Government counterparts on proposals for freeports and their likely benefits. We have also consulted widely with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, hosting a number of sessions with representatives of multiple sectors of the Scottish economy, including Scottish port operators.

The Scottish Government has developed a green port model tailored to the Scottish context. Our green port model will focus on encouraging innovation, business investment and economic activity to drive the creation of fair work opportunities and deliver a net zero economy.

We are ensuring the benefits will accrue to local economies and workers through making it necessary for operators and businesses benefiting from the package of green port incentives to: pay the real Living Wage; adopt the Scottish Business Pledge; commit to supporting sustainable and inclusive growth in local communities; and contribute to Scotland’s just transition to net zero.

The Scottish Government does not centrally hold details of payments made to the Cromarty Firth Port in the period 1999 to 2009. For the period since 2009, I would refer you to the answer given to your question S5W-31477 on 11 September 2020, which details financial support provided to the Port.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Scottish Government have not provided any funding directly to Global Energy Group for Nigg Energy Park development. However, I am aware that funding has been provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and to be helpful, I have asked Highlands and Islands Enterprise to respond to you in writing.

The Scottish Government has developed a green port model tailored to the Scottish context. We are mindful of the risk of economic displacement within Scotland and between Scotland and other parts of the UK. Our green port model focuses on encouraging innovation, business investment and economic activity to drive the creation of fair work opportunities and deliver a net zero economy.

Subject to finalisation of a prospectus for applicants in Scotland, those seeking a green port designation will be asked to describe how they will approach minimisation of displacement of economic activity, especially affecting economically disadvantaged areas. We will also ensure that successful applicants have plans in place for both monitoring and mitigating potential displacement.

The environmental impacts of aquaculture largely depend on the circumstances in which the fish are produced and regulated, and on both, I can confirm that we have one of the most rigorous regulatory regimes in the world.

Salmon farming is a vital sector for Scotland and a key component of our Blue Economy. It is our number one food export, and creates many thousands of highly paid, highly skilled jobs, many of which are in our most remote and fragile communities.

We will continue to support the sustainable growth of Scottish aquaculture and its wider supply chain while maintaining the right balance across our economic, environmental and social responsibilities.

As required by the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, the report submitted on 1 March to Parliament on the use of ADDs at Scottish finfish farms includes a chapter on the sufficiency of existing monitoring of ADD use. A conclusion of this report is that the Scottish Government will work with the sector and regulators to establish a more systematic process for gathering information on ADDs where they are used at Scottish finfish farms.

There are currently no active applications for European Protected Species licences for the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices at fish farms. Marine Scotland will give due consideration to any European Protected Species licence applications that are submitted, including the need to ensure the welfare of farmed fish, which are sentient animals protected by the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

The report was laid before Parliament on 1 March 2021. There are currently no active applications for European Protected Species licences for use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices at fish farms. Marine Scotland will give due consideration to any European Protected Species licence applications that are submitted, bearing in mind both the impact on those species and on the welfare of farmed fish, and based on the merits of each case.