Peter Peacock

11 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25166 by Roseanna Cunningham on 17 July 2009, whether it considers Scottish Natural Heritage to be adequately resourced to offer management agreements that meet the requirements of section 29(3) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Yes.</p>

11 Aug 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25166 by Roseanna Cunningham on 17 July 2009, what options are available to Scottish Natural Heritage as management agreements that meet the requirements of section 29(3) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Section 58 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 defines the term management agreement for the purposes of that act. This encompasses management agreements made under the following legislation in the circumstances stated:</p> <p >section 16 of the N…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when its bee strategy will be announced and implemented.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has already announced its intention to publish a <i >10 year Honey Bee Health Strategy for </i><i >Scotland</i> and it will be published in September 2009.</p>

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of the seriousness of the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As with any notifiable disease outbreak, the Scottish Government considers the outbreak of European foulbrood in Scotland to be a serious issue.</p>

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that sufficient stocks of antibiotics are available to combat the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside and how they will be effectively distributed.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: In the event of an outbreak of a notifiable disease in honeybees, the Scottish Government has contingency plan arrangements in place which enables the necessary antibiotics to be ordered.</p> <p >The Disease Stakeholder Group is currently deciding on the bes…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the outbreak of European foulbrood is confined solely to Perthshire.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The European foulbrood outbreak has not been confined solely to Perthshire. Further positive samples have been found in the Angus, Fife and Aberdeenshire areas.</p>

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale was between its becoming aware of the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside and measures being implemented to inform beekeepers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government informed the two main beekeeping associations (Scottish Beekeepers Association and the Beefarmers Association) within 48 hours of the confirmation of European foulbrood (EFB).</p>

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to inform beekeepers in (a) Perthshire and (b) the rest of Scotland of the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside and how effective these measures have been assessed to be.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government have kept in contact with the two main beekeeping associations (Scottish Beekeepers Association and the Beefarmers Association) and notified them within two days of confirmation of the European foulbrood (EFB) outbreak. The association…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what additional monitoring arrangements have been put in place in (a) Perthshire and (b) beyond regarding the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government bee inspectors are concentrating on confirmed cases of the disease and their contact colonies.</p> <p >Following a request, at the first Disease Stakeholder Group, our bee inspectors returned to their local areas throughout Scotland f…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what standstill orders are in place regarding the movement of bees and when these are likely to be reviewed and extended.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: As at 6 August 2009 there have been six standstill notices issued by the Scottish Government.</p> <p >These notices will be reviewed and the appropriate action taken after the follow-up inspections which are required to take place not less than six weeks aft…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what immediate and longer term action is being taken to prevent the spread of the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: In line with contingency plan arrangements for the confirmation of honey bee diseases, standstill notices have been put in place.</p> <p >Longer term arrangements include publicising what information is available to help beekeepers. This will include improvi…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many government inspectors were deployed initially to deal with the outbreak of European foulbrood in Tayside and what the reasons were for any subsequent change in numbers.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Following a report of a foulbrood outbreak in England, which indicated that the bee stocks were sourced from the Perthshire area, a Scottish Government bee inspector made the initial visit to the relevant apiary.</p> <p >Subsequently, a total of nine bee ins…

24 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the origins of the outbreak of European foulbrood among bees in Tayside.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: It is too early to establish what the origin of the European foulbrood outbreak was.</p>

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made or will make a submission to the European Commission under revised arrangements for the Scottish Rural Development Programme on provisions for improving access to broadband for purposes beyond and including agriculture.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25116 on 14 July 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/B…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executivewhat evidence there is that other sparrowhawks have occupied the territory of sparrowhawks trapped and released elsewhere during the first phase of the pilot.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26087, on 4 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has of whether sparrowhawks have returned to their original site following capture and release as part of the pilot trapping.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26087, on 4 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the distance from capture was of the release of any sparrowhawks captured in the first part of the pilot trapping.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26087, on 4 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive for what average length of time sparrowhawks trapped as part of the pilot have been held prior to release.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26087, on 4 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many sparrowhawks were (a) trapped and (b) fitted with radio tags before release as part of the pilot trapping.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26087, on 4 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliamen…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many sparrowhawks were trapped in the period leading up to the cessation of the pilot for the breeding season.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26087, on 4 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliame…

23 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the pilot trapping of sparrowhawks ceased for the breeding season.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The information requested will be made available in a comprehensive report on all aspects of the pilot project to assess the effectiveness of translocating sparrowhawks to reduce predation on racing pigeons. The report is currently being finalised and I expec…

21 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-24192 and S3W-25161 by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 June and 6 July 2009 respectively, who will provide scientific and technical staffing for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in implementing the requirements of the Flood Risk Managemen…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has established a formal programme for the implementation of its new duties under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act. This includes recruiting staff with relevant skills and experience to: commence the i…

21 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-24192 and S3W-25161 by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 June and 2 July 2009 respectively, from what source any balance of costs incurred by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in implementing the requirements of the Flood Risk Management (Sc…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24193 on 8 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <u>http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business…

21 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-24192 and S3W-25161 by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 June and 2 July 2009 respectively, what the reason is for the variance between the estimated cost to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) as stated in Flooding Bill Financial Implications…

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: I am happy to clarify that the figures contained in the <i >Financial Implications Assessment</i> compiled by MWH were based on preliminary estimates by SEPA. These preliminary figures were revised by SEPA once further discussion over the nature of SEPA''s ro…

15 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25232 by Richard Lochhead on 13 July 2009, what consideration ministers must give to the interests of any individuals who may be adversely affected by any decision taken and what administrative and other obligations they have towards such individuals…

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Ministers are required to take account of all relevant circumstances, including the impact on all those individuals and businesses who may be affected, when policy is being determined.</p>

10 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have taken place in recent years on any derogation with regard to the use of square mesh panels for boats of certain horsepower and what the reasons are for any such changes.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: There have been no changes to the current derogation regarding the use and size of square mesh panels, which allows for vessels with power of less than 112kw to use square mesh panels of 2m instead of 3m. Vessels using square mesh panels and fishing east of t…

10 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in renewing a fishing restriction order, ministers are required to consult and to take into account scientific evidence on the effect of the restrictions.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-25727 on 17 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2…

10 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist for a review of the fishing restrictions in Loch Hourn and the Inner Sound and what consultations are planned.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Scottish ministers have no plans at present to review the fisheries management measures which are in place in Loch Hourn and the Inner Sound. We expect, however, that inshore fisheries groups will consider existing fisheries restrictions and closures within t…

10 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are of the work commissioned from the Sea Fish Industry Authority on fleet profitability for the operation of creel fisheries.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Sea Fish Industry Authority report will be published later this month. The objective of the report is to recommend, following a series of consultation workshops with fishermen across Scotland, the five or six most appropriate interventions to improve the …

10 Jul 2009 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the use of nephrops permits and creel limitation measures.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The use or introduction of nephrops<i> </i>permits is one of a number of issues that will be considered by the Scottish Licensing Review Working Group that has been convened to undertake a root and branch review of all current licensing measures in force. Thi…