Parliamentary questions

Ariane Burgess

706 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, specifically in relation to production of salmon smolts in open net pens in Scottish freshwater lochs, what progress has been made to ensure that robust conditions to safeguard wild salmonids, based on an adaptive management approach, are contained within a licence rather than through p…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As set out in the Bute House Agreement, and our response to the Salmon Interactions Working Group report, we are committed to improving the regulatory framework which applies to fish farm containment and escapes. We note calls in the Salmon Interactions Worki…

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to further strengthening the regulatory framework that applies to containment and escapes, including, but not limited to, how to introduce proportionate penalties for fish farm escapes, as set out in the Scottish Government response, dated October 2021, to th…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We remain committed to working with the sector to reduce the risk of escapes from fish farms, including through the revision and publication of the Technical Standard for Scottish Finfish Aquaculture, and the introduction of penalties where escapes occur with…

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to address any current levels of genetic introgression from farmed salmon in Scotland, since the publication of the report by the Salmon Interactions Working Group.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: In October 2021 we published our response to the Salmon Interactions Working Group (SIWG) report, and we are continuing to progress delivery of those commitments, which include action to minimise the escape of farmed fish to help protect Scotland’s wild salmo…

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether any company that fails to meet any planning conditions over a prolonged period should be permitted to continue to operate.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Under planning legislation a failure to comply with a condition of planning consent constitutes a breach of planning control. Monitoring compliance with conditions attached to planning permissions is a matter for the relevant planning authority. Planning aut…

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Migdale Smolt Ltd is currently operating in compliance with the conditions associated with its section 42 application (reference 18/01202/S42) to monitor for wild fish impacts and escapes.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: Monitoring compliance with conditions attached to planning permissions is a matter for the relevant planning authority. Planning authorities have a range of enforcement powers, and a general discretion under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 t…

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action Migdale Smolt Ltd has taken to comply with the planning condition associated with its section 42 application (reference 18/01202/S42) to monitor for wild fish impacts and escapes since the condition was imposed in 2018.

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information is known about the levels of genetic introgression detected in the rivers flowing into Loch Shin, and the source of any such genetic introgression.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Information about the levels of introgression in rivers flowing into Loch Shin is contained in the first assessment of genetic introgression in wild salmon in 2021: A national assessment of the influence of farmed salmon escapes on the genetic integrity of w…

31 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of any influence that farmed salmon escapes may have on the genetic integrity of wild Scottish Atlantic salmon populations.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Marine Directorate’s Science, Evidence, Data and Digital Portfolio published its first assessment of genetic introgression in wild salmon in 2021: A national assessment of the influence of farmed salmon escapes on the genetic integrity of wild Scottish A…

25 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the discharge levels from open loop scrubbers, also known as exhaust gas cleaning systems, in Scottish ports, and whether it will consider implementing a prohibition on such discharges in Scottish ports, as has been the case in the Forth and Tay ports sin…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has not conducted an assessment regarding discharge levels from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) in Scottish ports. Whilst statutory port authorities have individual powers to regulate vessel activities within their harbour limits, …

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what total marine area, in km2, of the continental shelf area adjacent to Scotland, as designated in the Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2013, is covered by one or more designations including a (a) Special Area of Conservation, (b) Special Protection Area, (c) Nature Conse…

Answer · Mairi McAllan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18168 on 6 May 2023 for details of the total area, in square kilometres, of the Marine Protected Area network designated in the Scottish continental shelf area adjacent to Scotland. All answers to written parl…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what powers NatureScot has to ensure that landowners employ trapping and translocation on their land, rather than lethal control, following the publication of the beaver licensing figures for 2022.

Answer · Lorna Slater: NatureScot are able to license beaver management activities under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. However the legislation requires the same tests to be met for trapping (or taking) as for killing a protected species and does not req…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ask NatureScot to conduct a review of licences for the lethal control of beavers to ascertain whether such licences are required or whether translocation could be implemented instead, in line with its commitment to expand Scotland's beaver population, announced in Nov…

Answer · Lorna Slater: NatureScot regularly reviews its approach to licensing to ensure that any licences that are issued are informed by the best information available, including taking into account any policy developments or legislative changes. NatureScot issues licences that p…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it will do to ensure that its forthcoming Agriculture Bill and future agricultural policy set targets beyond its current stated ambitions, in light of the Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics published on 23 June 2023, which reportedly show that agricultural emissions have increased.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Our Vision for Agriculture clearly states that we will deliver emission reductions in line with our climate targets. A new Agriculture Bill will be brought forward in 2023 to enable the delivery of the Vision and we will establish a robust and coherent framew…

14 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to progress the Good Food Nation programme of work, in light of the passing of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 a year ago.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2023 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 16 June 2023. These regulations will bring into force most of the provisions in the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 that relate to …

14 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce compulsory sales orders through its proposed Land Reform Bill, in light of its plans to address the need for effective, efficient and fair land assembly powers for public bodies, as referred to in the Bute House Agreement.

7 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage other local authorities to roll out 20 mph speed limits in built-up areas, in light of Highland Council’s early adoption of such a policy.

29 May 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what priority the Scottish Government gives to protecting Scotland's environment.

24 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the letter from the Scottish Creel Fishermen's Federation, offering to assist with progressing fisheries management issues, including Highly Protected Marine Areas.

23 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its timescale is for launching a consultation to examine the use of cages for laying hens.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government takes the improvement of welfare for all animals in Scotland very seriously and is keen to progress a consultation on the cage use for laying hens, alongside other animal welfare commitments Consultation on phasing out cage use for la…

23 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its timescale is for reviewing the recommendations contained in the Animal Welfare Committee's updated Opinion on the Welfare of Farmed Fish at the Time of Killing, and whether it will provide an update on when it anticipates the recommendations will be made publicly available.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is aware of the importance of protecting the welfare of fish at the time of slaughter and takes this very seriously. We will carefully consider any recommendations made by the Animal Welfare Committee concerning the welfare of fish at…

18 May 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will be implementing management measures for the sandeel fishery in Scottish waters for the protection of the marine environment.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We recognise that biologically diverse seas and healthy, functioning marine ecosystems are vital to underpin a wide variety of marine industries and interests. It is important that we manage our marine environment in such a way as to ensure sustainable use, a…

17 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) total area in km2 and (b) percentage of the continental shelf area adjacent to Scotland, as designated in the Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2013, is covered by the Marine Protected Area network, after all overlapping designations have been taken into account.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The total area of the Marine Protected Area network designated in the Scottish continental shelf area adjacent to Scotland, as designated in the Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2013 is (a) 228,118 square kilometres and (b) 37%. These figures t…

15 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the STUC's proposals for a local wealth tax.

10 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding any changes to the policing of protests.

3 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with local authorities regarding any preparations for the potential impact of the proposed Illegal Migration Bill on asylum seekers currently accommodated in hotels in Scotland.

25 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many tonnes of (a) lumpfish and (b) wrasse were output from hatcheries in Scotland in the last five years or for the latest years for which data is available, and what information it holds on how this compares with equivalent data for England and Wales.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government publishes the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey annually. The survey includes data on lumpfish and wrasse production. The latest data is available in chapter 4 of the Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.sc…

24 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Scotland’s sea beds have been degraded by human activities, including fishing, and what economic impact it anticipates Highly Protected Marine Areas could have on coastal communities, including fishing businesses.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Human activities have had a considerable impact in Scotland’s seas. Of the 21 marine regions reported in the Scottish Marine Assessment 2020 , where physical disturbance was assessed, 18 were predicted to have more than 15% of their area classified as highl…

17 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to its consultation on A New Deal for Tenants, what work it has done with animal welfare charities to promote the benefits of pet-friendly properties to landlords.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We recognise the health and wellbeing benefits having a pet can bring and our New Deal for Tenants sought views on proposals to give tenants greater rights to keep a pet. Scottish Government officials engaged with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to discuss thei…

17 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any legislative proposals based on its consultation on A New Deal for Tenants will include greater flexibility for tenants to personalise their home, including the right to keep pets, in both the private and social housing sectors.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our ‘New Deal for Tenants’ consultation sought views on proposals to strengthen the rights of tenants including greater rights to have a pet and to personalise their home. We are currently considering responses to the consultation as we develop proposals for …

17 Apr 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to bring forward legislative proposals based on its consultation on A New Deal for Tenants.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We plan to bring forward legislative proposals based on our New Deal for Tenants consultation as soon as possible after the Summer recess.