Mark Ruskell

10 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will be taking to recover west coast cod and whiting stocks, in light of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice that they remain below safe biological limits.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is committed to the sustainability of our seas, contributing to our communities’ economy and its environment. During the summer, Marine Scotland officials will work closely with industry and NGO stakeholders to develop co-management re…

8 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the COVID-19 social distancing guidance for the horticulture, fruit and vegetable industry; what information it has regarding the compliance rate, and how many outbreaks of the virus have been reported as being connected to the sector.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, officials and I have met regularly with the industry to discuss both the impacts on the sector and how best to keep their workers safe. These discussions shaped and agreed the guidance in a two-way process, demonstrating the …

2 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many acoustic deterrent devices (ADD) are used by the aquaculture sector in Scotland, broken down by (a) company, (b) model of ADD and (c) whether the ADD is continually turned on.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The following table provides a breakdown of the number of sites using ADDs, by company, including the device model and whether it is always on, for the period October 2018 to September 2019, as reported in the most recent seal licensing applications. Furtherm…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the process of licensing fish farms includes consideration of the presence of seals in the vicinity and any previous incidence of conflict between fish farms and seals.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Fish farms are required to comply with multiple regulatory regimes. In terms of the fish farm equipment, a marine licence is required however an exemption may apply where the installation is not considered to cause obstruction or danger to navigation. The sit…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the siting of fish farms away from seal haul-out sites should be part of the range of non-lethal measures employed at fish farms to avoid conflict with seals, and whether it plans to review fish farm licensing criteria in relation to this.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The consideration of planning permission for the siting of individual fish farms is a matter for local authorities who deal with each new fish farm site on its merits through the terrestrial planning process. As part of this process, advice is provided by sta…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the report on the use of acoustic deterrent devices on land constituting a fish farm, required under section 10C of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) Bill, will consider the use of other non-lethal seal deterrents and their effect on the welfare of mari…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The amendment passed by the Scottish Parliament on 17 June 2020 is specifically in relation to the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) at land constituting a fish farm. Research projects are already underway to assess the use and efficacy of ADDs. This w…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to implement the measures on conservation of seals contained in section 10B of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As is normal practice, the Scottish Government will specify commencement dates for provisions of The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 17 June 2020, through a Statutory…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, following implementation of the measures on conservation of seals contained in section 10B of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill, whether it will issue seal licences to fish farms or fisheries on any other grounds listed at section 110(1) of the…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill which was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 17 June 2020 includes amendments to section 110 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to remove the ability of Scottish Ministers to grant …

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many seal culling licenses have been issued in each year since 2016 to (a) fish farms and (b) wild fisheries management groups.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 currently permits limited shooting of controlled numbers of individual animals under licence in order to protect the health and welfare of farmed fish or to prevent serious damage to fisheries. The number of licences issued from…

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, prior to implementation of the measures on conservation of seals contained in section 10B of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill, whether it plans to use its powers under section 114 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to vary or revoke any current…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government currently has no plans to revoke or vary existing seal licences.

29 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the quinquennial review of the seal licensing regime under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 will include a comprehensive assessment of the seal exclusion measures currently used by fish farms and fisheries.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Under Section 129 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, Scottish Ministers must review and publish a report on the operation of the seal licensing regime every five years. The next report due in September 2020 will consider all aspects of the operation of the se…

25 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposals in the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill could impact on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention. 

Answer · Michael Russell: The proposals to establish new environmental governance arrangements in the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill are relevant to the implementation of the Aarhus Convention. The proposals will allow people freely to bring matters of concern about the i…

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the use of lead ammunition to be entirely phased out on (a) public and (b) private land.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) currently require all contractors to use non-lead ammunition for goose management when shooting over Ramsar sites, including land beyond that required by the Environmental Protection (Restrictions on Use of Lead Shot) (Scotland…

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what testing is carried out on the levels in the human food chain of the active ingredient in the medicated grit that is used on grouse moors.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is the competent authority in the UK responsible for the testing of food producing animals for residues of authorised veterinary medicines products and prohibited substances. National Residues Surveillance Programme …

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what level of lead from shot gameboards is present in the human food chain, and what regular analysis it carries out of this.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The testing of gamebirds for the presence of metals such as lead is carried out by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as part of the National Residues Surveillance Programme in accordance with The Animal and Animal Products (Examination for Residues a…

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment SEPA has made regarding the wider environmental impacts of the medicated grit that is used on grouse moors.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is currently undertaking a desk-based study to assess the potential impact on the wider environment of the use of flubendazole in medicated grit. This includes an assessment of the effects on soil dwelling org…

9 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the active ingredient in the medicated grit that is used on managed grouse moors is excreted by the birds.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: There is limited data available on the excretion of flubendazole, the active ingredient in medicated grit, by grouse. However, a 2006 study on Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use by the European Medicines Agency Committee involving a wide range of species, …

5 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what changes are being made to enhance the delivery of all three bikeability levels, so that more young people can receive training.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Since the adoption of a new Bikeability Scotland strategy in 2018, increased funding and flexibility has been available to local authorities to support every child to have access to on-road cycle training. During 2019-20, we invested more than £1 million to s…

5 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, to assist in efforts to alleviate wildlife crime, whether it will support the resumption of the Scottish Raptor Study Group monitoring fieldwork beyond the current five-mile guidance on land managed for grouse shooting.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: In relation to phase 1 in the Scottish Government’s ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): framework for decision making – Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis’, people are permitted to travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but advised to st…

3 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is making with the commitment in the Programme for Government to develop plans for electrifying the rail network by 2035.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed, at the earliest appropriate opportunity, to publishing the decarbonisation action plan for Scotland’s railways. This will include an assessment on the use of battery and hydrogen technology powered trains as well as elec…

2 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether more effective deer management systems will be an integral part of its green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. 

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Earlier this year I asked the Committee on Climate Change to provide independent, expert advice on the best way forward to support our net-zero targets and to ensure a green recovery for Scotland following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee on Climate Chan…

2 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps Scottish Natural Heritage is taking to implement the recommendations of the independent Deer Working Group that can be taken forward without the need for primary legislation, and when these measures will be in place.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been working with the Scottish Government to consider the recommendations made by the Deer Working Group and, without prejudice to the government’s response to the report, will be taking forward some of the recommendations …

2 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the final report of the independent Deer Working Group.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: A response to the report by the independent Deer Working Group will be published in due course.  

2 Jun 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will support cycle training to enable socially-distanced safe cycling to and from schools when pupils return.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Cycling Scotland delivers Bikeability, the national cycle training programme for schoolchildren, using Transport Scotland grant funding. Despite the restrictions imposed by lockdown, Cycling Scotland were able to work with schools in nine local authorities to…

22 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers to be the implications for women’s equality of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: We know that COVID-19 and our response to the pandemic is, in some aspects, disproportionately impacting on women. This is particularly so in relation to the labour market and the provision of unpaid care, with women disproportionately absorbing additional ch…

18 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted any polling on the level of support for low emission zones.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government conducted market research surveys in February and March 2019 to gather data on the understanding of, and support for, plans to introduce Low Emission Zones into Scotland’s four biggest cities. Of those surveyed, 84% of the general popu…

18 May 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has not yet published guidance on allowing recycling centres to reopen.

15 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to revise the policy of precluding translocation of beavers beyond the Knapdale trial site and to allow the authorised movement of the animals to areas of suitable habitat where land owners are willing to receive them in order to help widen any biodiversity benefits bro…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Together with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Government will consider opportunities for conservation translocations of beavers from high to low conflict areas within existing catchments to improve the resilience of existing populations. We will also …

15 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of experience gained from the first year of the management of beavers as a protected species, what plans Scottish Natural Heritage has to review the Beaver Management Framework to (a) reduce the requirement for the need for lethal control in response to animal welfare concerns …

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Beaver Management Framework is intended to be adaptive and will be subject to ongoing review with input from the Scottish Beaver Forum. a) We expect the forum to hold further discussion of the licensing figures and to consider how the Forum membership ca…

15 May 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many beavers were translocated from Tayside from 1 May 2019 to 31 December 2019.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: 15 beavers were trapped and translocated under licence (between 1st May and 31st December 2019). Scottish Natural Heritage plans to work with licence holders to see what more can be done to make this option practicable as an alternative to lethal control. Fu…