I am considering extending these arrangements to the Organic Aid Scheme in the light of the responses to the consultation paper Proposals for Changes to Agri-Environment Schemes in Scotland which I issued on 5 March and the work of the Organic Stakeholders Group which is taking forward implementation of the Organic Action Plan which I published in February.Local assessment of individual applications is undertaken by staff who have been trained in conservation issues, and who have access to specialised sources of advice where necessary, for example, from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds.In addition, the Executive is progressing with the appointment of a number of area project managers whose main duties will include the promotion...