Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government engages regularly with Ofgem and NESO to ensure transmission infrastructure delivers for Scotland. This includes exploration of the TIA threshold, and consideration of the impact that this has on energy users in Scotland.

While, to date, the Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of the potential impact on Scotland’s net zero targets of maintaining the 200kW threshold for transmission impact assessments, it is aware of this issue. As detailed in responses to S6W-34389 and S6W-34390 on 19 February 2025, Scottish Government officials are engaging with stakeholders to develop an understanding of the issues the difference creates and to explore options which may mitigate any negative consequences.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government and UK Government have jointly funded the ‘Project Willow’ cross site study. This has been commissioned by Petroineos and supplied by Ernst and Young Parthenon.

Recommendations and key outputs will be made available via a public information document shortly after the study’s conclusion, expected in the coming weeks.

Scottish Government’s sustained policy and regulatory interventions on sea lice have focused industry action on sea lice management and have resulted in a downward trend in sea lice numbers at a national level, with 2024 levels being the lowest since 2018.

Scottish Government has also delivered funding into fish health research and innovation through the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), which resulted in total investment from SAIC, industry and other funding partners of £62.7 million on projects including those on gill health, rapid diagnostic technologies and Harmful Algal Blooms. In May 2024 a further £1.5m was provided to support the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre until March 2026 and we are now considering options to help facilitate aquaculture innovation into the future.

On behalf of Scottish Ministers, the Fish Health Inspectorate continues to undertake a listed disease surveillance programme to prevent the introduction and spread of listed and emerging fish diseases in Scotland which includes statutory inspections, sampling programmes, and the provision of advice to stakeholders.

The Scottish Government does not have any immediate plans to develop further legislation in relation to the welfare of farmed fish. The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 protects farmed animals from ‘unnecessary suffering’ and places a duty of care on those caring for animals to meet their welfare needs.

Scottish Government recognises the importance of protecting the welfare of farmed fish, including at the time of slaughter and is considering the UK Animal Welfare Committee report and recommendations published in 2024. We are currently developing guidance based on the report’s recommendations to protect the welfare of farmed fish at the time of slaughter. When this work has progressed to an appropriate stage, we will be engaging with the industry and other stakeholders, including animal welfare organisations. Scottish Government is also contributing to the Devolved Administrations Trout Working Group to assist with the development of voluntary guidelines for the trout sector.

Both the drafting of the proposed Nature Conservation Order for Achnabobane, within the Parallel Roads of Lochaber Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the associated Land Register of Scotland and General Register of Sasines searches, are at an advanced stage. Once completed, interested parties will be notified as soon as possible, following Ministerial approval.

The Visitor Levy is a discretionary power for local authorities to use. In doing so, a local authority will have to comply with its duties under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. Additionally, Local authorities have the power to charge different rates and exemptions for different geographical areas .Each local authority has a responsibility to publish assessment of the impacts of introducing a Visitor Levy, and they have a statutory requirement to consult with local communities, businesses, and the public, prior to the introduction of a Visitor Levy.

To date, the Scottish Government has not undertaken analysis on the potential economic impact on Scottish businesses of the disparity in transmission impact assessment thresholds between Scotland and the rest of Great Britain.

The 'open call’ process referred to in the answer to question S6W-32849 remains under development. Further information will be set out in the renewed plan of action to be published in March.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of promoting reusable nappies during Reusable Nappy Week. Content will be posted across Parent Club’s social media channels and will highlight the benefits of reusable nappies and answer common questions people have about them.

Social media posts will also direct users to the Parent Club website which has recently been reviewed with up-to-date content on ‘How to use reusable nappies’. This is available at: https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/how-use-reusable-nappies.