Mark Ruskell

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what studies on hori'ontal gene flow from GM crops have been carried out and what the results of any such studies were.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The review of GM scienceexamined the issue of horizontal gene flow and concluded that it is veryinfrequent and could happen whether the plant was transgenic, conventional ororganic. However, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environmentconsiders the p…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any human feeding studies using GM foods have been carried out and, if so, what the results were.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that all GM foods aresubject to a rigorous safety assessment before they can be marketed anywhere inthe EU. The safety of all novel foods, including GM foods, is assessed on anEU-wide basis using internationally agreed…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a ministerial statement on any decision to place Chardon LL mai'e, or any other GM crop, on the UK national seeds list.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I set out the position onthe national seed listing of Chardon LL in my ministerial statement on 10 March 2004.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements have been made for environmental groups and others to peer review the farm scale evaluations, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The results of the farmscale evaluations were peer reviewed and published in the <i>PhilosophicalTransactions of The Royal Society: Biological Sciences</i>. They wereimmediately forwarded to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment(ACRE) for advi…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who should be liable for any economic damage caused by material from genetically modified crops if they are cultivated in Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: We will consult allconcerned on the most appropriate co-existence arrangements for Scotland todeliver choice for both consumers and farmers and on possible compensationarrangements for farmers who suffer economic loss. The present presumption isthat any compe…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask Scottish Natural Heritage to consider designating Aucheninnes Moss as a Special Area of Conservation, in light of the recent survey report by Richard Lindsay for the Invertebrate Conservation Trust that shows that the area fits the EU Habitats Directive habitat categor…

Answer · Allan Wilson: Scottish Natural Heritagescientific advice is that the habitat type found at Aucheninnes Moss does notmeet the definition of either “active raised bog” or “degraded raised bogcapable of regeneration”, and that the site therefore does not meet thequalifying cr…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult the Parliament before making any decisions on the approval of Chardon LL mai'e.

Answer · Allan Wilson: As noted in myministerial statement on 10 March 2004, Chardon LL maizereceived EU-wide approval Part C approval in 1998.  We are currently seeking anamendment to this consent.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether experiences of farmers in North America have informed any decision on the possible future of genetically modified organisms.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive’s policy on GMcrops is based on all relevant information.</p><p>Farming conditions in North Americaare vastly different to farming conditions in Scotland. As such theexperiences of North American farmers are not directly relevant to the Scottish…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with members of the Welsh Assembly Government in respect of the approval of Chardon LL mai'e; on what dates the discussions took place, and what the outcomes were.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has regular contact with the Welsh Assembly Government and the other UKAdministrations on a range of issues, including GM crops.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the release of Chardon LL mai'e is still legal under EU directive 2001/18/EC, given that its transgenic insert changed from the structure reported in the company's original dossier.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Advisory Committee onReleases to the Environment (ACRE) has recently considered two reports whichclaimed that independent analysis had identified discrepancies in the molecularcharacterisation of approved GM products.</p><p>ACRE consider that the addition…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is anticipated that the commercial growing conditions of genetically modified crops, such as Chardon LL mai'e, will replicate the conditions of the UK farm scale evaluation trials.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Yes. We are seeking anamendment to the existing part C consent which will prevent glyphosate ammoniumbeing used in conjunction with conventional herbicides on Chardon LL maize.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the farm scale evaluation gives a true indication of any environmental harm caused by Chardon LL mai'e, in light of the conclusions of the recent report of the Westminster Environmental Audit Committee GM Food - Evaluating the field scale trials.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive, the Science Review, and the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment(ACRE) are all satisfied that the methods used in the farm scale trials forboth design and analysis were valid and robust. They are the most extensive andthor…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any studies comparing the biodiversity impact of GM crops with organic crops are planned.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any planned studies comparing the biodiversity impactof GM crops with organic crops.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any areas of active raised bog or degraded raised bog capable of regeneration proposed for Special Area for Conservation protection within the Dumfries and Galloway bioclimatic 'one.

Answer · Allan Wilson: There are three designatedraised bog candidate Special Areas of Conservation in Dumfries and Galloway (atCarsegowan Moss, Raeburn Flow and Solway Mosses North) with all three supportingboth active bog and degraded bog still capable of natural regeneration.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the number of sites containing (a) active raised bog and (b) degraded raised bog capable of regeneration is included in currently proposed Special Areas for Conservation.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Twenty five sites have been designated as candidate SpecialAreas of Conservation for active raised bog in Scotland. This is around 9% of the sites identified as supporting some amount of active bog in the ScottishNatural Heritage report <i>An inventory of low…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the area of (a) active raised bog and (b) degraded raised bog capable of regeneration is included in currently proposed Special Areas for Conservation

Answer · Allan Wilson: It is estimated that 68% of the active raised bog and 34% of the degraded raised bog habitat in Scotland isincluded in designated candidate Special Areas of Conservation.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many sites containing (a) active raised bog and (b) degraded raised bog capable of regeneration there are in Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish NaturalHeritage report <i>An inventory of lowland raised bogs in </i><i>Great Britain</i> (Lindsay, R.A. and Immirzi, P., 1996) identifies 807 raised bog sitesin Scotland. Of these, 281 are identified as supporting areas ofactive bog, and 344 sup…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many hectares of (a) active raised bog and (b) degraded raised bog capable of regeneration there are in Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: It is estimated that approximately3,300 hectares of bog habitat meets the definition of active raised bog, andthat approximately 5,500 hectares meet the definition of degraded raised bogcapable of natural regeneration.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage has the responsibility for implementing surveillance of the conservation status of priority habitats and species in Scotland under Article 11 of the EC Habitats Directive.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-6758 on 19 March 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/weba…

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has responsibility, under Article 11 of the EC Habitats Directive, for the surveillance of the conservation status of priority habitats and species in Scotland and, if not, where the responsibility lies.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has responsibility for ensuring the requirements of Article 11 areadhered to in Scotland.</p>

5 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current European Commission guidance is on the area and number and/or distribution of sites for active raised bog and degraded raised bog capable of regeneration needing to be protected with Special Area for Conservation status within Scotland.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Article 4.1 of the Habitats Directive provides guidance on the selection process for SpecialAreas of Conservation. This states that member states should propose a list ofsites based on the criteria laid out in Annex III of the Directive and relevantscientific…

21 Jan 2004 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authority areas experienced a rise in domestic debt in relation to domestic water charges for Band A households between 2001 and 2003.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Data onlevels of domestic debt by household band in relation to water charges is notheld centrally.</p>

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide advice for groups of people, such as pregnant women, children and others at risk of cardiovascular disease, on how many portions of farmed salmon may be eaten each year without increasing the risk of cancer or other negative health effects.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that currentGovernment advice, based on expert scientific opinion, is that consumers shouldaim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Thebiggest diet-related risk to UK health is hear…

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to public institutions providing meals, including schools and hospitals, on how many portions of farmed salmon may be eaten without increasing the risk of developing cancer or other negative health effects.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that currentGovernment advice, based on expert scientific opinion, is that consumers shouldaim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Thebiggest diet-related risk to UK health is hear…

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it will publish concerning the number of portions of farmed salmon that may be eaten each year without increased risk of cancer or other negative health effects.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that based on expert scientific opinion, it recommends thatconsumers should aim to eat at least two portions of fish per week, one ofwhich should be oily such as salmon, either farmed or wild. The known healthbenefits …

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what scientific evidence there is showing that children can be fed a portion of salmon every week with no associated health risks.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I am advised by the FoodStandards Agency that risks associated with dioxins were assessed by theCommittee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and theEnvironment in 2001. The committee’s opinion provides the basis of the agency’sadvice that the…

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency that the agency should make available evidence regarding the different level of toxic contaminants between farmed and wild salmon.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5447 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/w…

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency that the agency should make available its scientific evidence on the health implications of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.

Answer · Tom McCabe: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-5447 on 9 February 2004.All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/w…

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will encourage producers to take steps to reduce the level of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The trace levels of contaminantfound in farmed salmon are within international food safety standards set byEuropean Commission and the WHO. But we are never complacent over such issuesand the Scottish Executive, with relevant stakeholder bodies, will explore …

13 Jan 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps could be taken to reduce the level of toxic contaminants in farmed salmon.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Food Standards Agency,and industry, regularly monitor the levels of toxic contaminants found infarmed salmon. Both report that trace elements continue to fall and that theyremain well below tolerances set by relevant international health agencies,such as …