- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in delivering the recommendations set out in Beyond the Glen: a strategy for the Scottish Venison Sector to 2030.
Answer
“Beyond the Glen” is an industry-led strategy and therefore responsibility for delivery does not lie with Scottish Government. We work to support the industry in development of the sector, including through delivery of the strategy, and we have provided additional funding where possible.
The Scottish Venison Association (SVA) is proposing that a review of the strategy should be undertaken in 2023. Part of this activity will include an internal review of the SVA.
- Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its consideration of the final report of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.
Answer
The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications.
We intend to set out our initial Scottish Government response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the findings of the Risk Assessment on the spread of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) to wild birds from released, formerly captive gamebirds in Great Britain, which was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in December 2022.
Answer
The Scottish Government is examining the risk assessment conclusion in detail given the serious impact of HPAI (High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza) on wild and kept birds and will monitor risk levels and carefully consider its response over coming months.
The release of game birds is prohibited within an avian influenza protection zone and surveillance zone.
When kept there is a legal requirement to report suspicion of notifiable avian disease in game birds.
Where Special Protected Area (SPA)/Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) are designated for vulnerable species consent from NatureScot is required for release of game birds.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Water uses dowsing rods and, if so, how much it has spent on these in each of the last four years.
Answer
As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water, I have asked Douglas Millican, Chief Executive, to respond. His response is as follows:
Scottish Water does not support or encourage the use of dowsing and provides its employees with equipment and training to ensure they use methods for finding underground assets and leaks which are scientifically tried and tested. These include ground microphones, correlators, and metal detectors and other devices to pinpoint the exact location of underground assets and leaks. Scottish Water does not budget or spend money on any form of divination or dowsing tools and training.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government in what ways it works with the Scottish Venison Association to promote wild venison products.
Answer
The Scottish Government has regular engagement with the Scottish Venison Association.
We have provided funding for a variety of projects to help with promotion of wild venison products. For example, Scottish Government funded a £60,000 online promotion campaign in 2021 as part of the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership Covid recovery programme. Further funding is being provided for ongoing market research through Scotland Food and Drink, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Scotland and The Knowledge Bank to make available data on key venison markets and trends in London, South East England and Scotland.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on administering the Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund.
Answer
The Scottish Government has spent £39,525 +VAT on administering the Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund. The Fund was administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of VisitScotland and the Scottish Government. For this work, Energy Savings Trust received a management fee of £39,525 +VAT, paid by VisitScotland. This fee did not come out of the £325k funding pot for the Destination Net Zero Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund, but was covered separately.
Throughout the process VisitScotland supported the administration and assessment of the fund, providing a range of checks at different stages. There was no additional cost attached to that administrative work as this was undertaken as part of people’s job roles throughout the period.
The scheme has funded 194 charging points across Scotland, located across 20 local authorities. The charging points funded through Destination Net Zero Vehicle Charge Point Tourism Recovery Fund will allow visitors and locals to explore Scotland’s beauty spots in a sustainable and environment friendly manner.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of disease prevention measures for pets brought into Scotland under the Pet Travel Scheme.
Answer
The Scottish Government continually monitors animal disease outbreaks internationally and in the UK to ensure disease prevention measures required under pet travel rules remain relevant. Any future policy will be guided by risk assessment. The pet travel rules are administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and we have regular contact to ensure travellers are complying with the rules.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the VisitScotland publication, Scotland. Made for Cycling, published in January 2023.
Answer
The Scottish Government notes the Made for Cycling report and recognises the opportunity on offer for Scottish cycling tourism to further develop and for Scotland to establish itself as a world-class cycling destination, as identified within the publication.
The topic paper highlights some of the positive work that VisitScotland has undertaken in recent years, including the creation of a new Cycling Industry Guide, to help businesses and communities maximise the sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits from a growing interest in cycling and cycling tourism. These business advice assets are especially important as Glasgow and Scotland gear up to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships between 3 – 13 August.
This event provides a platform to generate behaviour change across Scotland –bringing benefits for individuals, communities and businesses as a result.
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 February 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is assessing the potential risk of future high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) transmission from released non-native game birds in Scotland to wild mammals including foxes and otters.
Answer
To date nine mammals including four seals, four otters and one fox have tested positive for influenza of avian origin H5N1 in Scotland. APHA (Animals and Plant Health Agency) routinely undertakes diagnostic testing of wild animals found dead under the GB wildlife surveillance scheme. The detection of the virus does not mean that it was the cause of death of these animals. This is an unusual event and infection of mammals with influenza of avian origin remains an uncommon infection, including in humans. The risk of the H5N1 strain to non-avian UK wildlife remains low.
Of the nine mammals that have tested positive for influenza of avian origin, there are no known links to the release of non-native game birds. The Scottish Government continues to monitor the outputs the GB wildlife surveillance scheme and assess any future risks.
- Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when the nationwide programme of inspection to assess the condition of, and the impact of climate change on, some of Scotland's most significant heritage sites, being undertaken by Historic Environment Scotland, is expected to be completed.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2023
