Parliamentary questions

Ms Rosemary Byrne

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

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance will be provided for training in ram selection and purchasing.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The evaluation of the LivestockImprovement Schemes concluded that the Ram Purchase Scheme was not meeting its objectives.In deciding that it should therefore be discontinued, we recognised that some membersof the crofting groups who currently use that scheme …

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to introduce legislation to implement the Crofting Development Programme.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Our Programme for Governmentsets out our intention to introduce crofting reform legislation. Our plans wereexplained in the White Paper Crofting Reform Proposals For Legislation publishedin July 2002. This included a proposal to create a new constituti…

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what will replace the Ram Purchase Scheme and Shetland Ram Scheme.

Answer · Allan Wilson: There are no plans to replacethese schemes. We have ended the Ram Hire Scheme because it was not effective andit did not deliver measurable improvement or value for money. We ended the ShetlandRam Scheme because the purpose for which it was created is no long…

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its Livestock Improvement Schemes contravened European Commission rules on state aid and, if so, what rules they contravened.

Answer · Allan Wilson: There has never been a formalruling as to the status of the Livestock Improvement Schemes under European Unionstate aid rules. However, concerns have been expressed by the Department of EnvironmentFood and Rural Affairs (which is responsible for ensuring UK c…

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many vets undertake large animal work.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7448 on 7 May 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/webapp/…

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many veterinary undergraduates there are.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Latest available figures show that there are 979 Veterinary undergraduates studying at the two Veterinary Schools in Scotland.<table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0> <tr> <td rowspan=2> Total </td> <td> 2001-02 </td> <…

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many veterinary inspectors work in abattoirs.

Answer · Tom McCabe: The Meat Hygiene Service is responsiblefor supervision and meat inspection in all licensed fresh meat premises in Great Britain,and currently employs 173 Official Veterinary Surgeons and 144 Meat Hygiene Inspectorsin Scotland.

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the structure is of the State Veterinary Service.

Answer · Ross Finnie: The State Veterinary Service(SVS) is a GB-wide organisation supporting the delivery of animal health and welfare policy of Scottish, Welsh and DEFRA Ministers. The SVS, which will move to agency status in 2005, is overseen by a Management Board comprising of …

23 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of state funding is for veterinary services.

Answer · Ross Finnie: In 2004-05 running costs of theState Veterinary Service (SVS) in Scotland are £5.8 million and a further £3.5 million is expectedto be spent on fees for Local Veterinary Inspectors who work in support of the SVS.The SVS is a GB-wide organisation and the UK Go…

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities are currently available for the manufacture and processing of biofuels.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There are currently a numberof small biodiesel plants in Scotland, but the details of all of these are not held centrally.

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken into the development of biofuels.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive commissioned the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (MLURI) to undertakea research project examining all potential energy sources obtainable from crops,timber and agricultural residue. The Study Report was published by MLURI at a work…

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what countries Scotland imports biofuels from and how much is imported from each country.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Data on the importation of biofuelsto Scotland is not held centrally by the Scottish Executive.

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding any possible reduction in duty on biofuels.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with HM Treasury on a range of issues. The Ministerfor Transport is a member of the Low Carbon Ministerial Group, commissioned by thePrime Minister to oversee the Powering Future Vehicles Strategy. This group, whic…

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the use of biofuels, in light of the Kyoto targets.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has agreed with Department for Transport to set common targets for biofuelssales, in response to the EU Biofuels Directive (2003/30/EC). The level of thesetargets, and other matters related to biofuels, is the subject of a consultationp…

22 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what public funding is available to producers of biofuels.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There are no specific schemesin relation to biofuels but producers of biofuels might be eligible to apply forpublic funding from more general programmes, for example:<ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal>Smart, Spur and Spur Plus Programmes</li> <li class=Ms…

13 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what resources will be allocated to local authorities to implement the EU ambient noise directive 2002/49/EC.

Answer · Allan Wilson: As explained in the answer toS2W-7530 on 6 May 2004, options on how best to implement Directive 2002/49/ECare being finalised to form part of a consultation paper to be issued later thisyear. The consultation paper will also provide advice on any resource imp…

13 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken into the health effects of ambient noise on (a) agricultural animals, (b) companion animals such as guide dogs, (c) 'oo and circus animals and (d) wild animals.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has notfunded any research into the effects of noise on any category of animal and hashad no request to fund such research. There has been a considerableamount of research conducted elsewhere on the effects of noise on wild and a…

13 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been undertaken into the health effects of ambient noise on (a) all adults, (b) adults with mental health problems, (c) adults with hypertension and cardiovascular disease, (d) adults and children with hearing impairment, (e) adults with learning difficulties, (f) all ch…

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The Chief Scientist’s Office(CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility for encouragingand supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland. TheCSO is largely a response mode funder of research and has not funde…

13 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will implement the EU ambient noise directive 2002/49/EC.

Answer · Allan Wilson: It is intended that the directivebe implemented in the Scottish Parliament by way of regulations made under section2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

13 Apr 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will implement the EU ambient noise directive 2002/49/EC.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The Department for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the devolved administrations are at present consideringthe options for implementing Directive 2002/49/EC, with a consultation paper beingfinalised for issue to relevant stakeholders. It is anti…

30 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13633 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 12 March 2001, whether any of its departments or agencies has responsibility for the environmental monitoring of activity in relation to the test firing of depleted uranium shells at Dundrennan.

Answer · Ross Finnie: Responsibility for monitoringof general levels of radioactivity in the environment in Scotland restswith the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in conjunction with the FoodStandards Agency. Results are published annually in the joint UK report enti…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who will pay compensation due under any compensation scheme for farmers affected by a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answergiven to question S2W-7108 on 20 April 2004. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what compensation scheme will be established for farmers affected by any voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops.

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who would monitor a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops in respect of (a) gene flow, (b) wildlife contamination and (c) soil contamination.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The principal purpose of a coexistenceregime is to protect consumer and farmer choice by enabling GM and non-GM cropsto coexist. The GM Inspectorate would have a role in ensuring compliance with anycoexistence regime. This is distinct from statutory post-mark…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops would be administered.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7108 on 20 April 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…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who would regulate a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops.

Answer · Allan Wilson: This is a matter which willbe addressed in the consultation referred to in the answer given to questionS2W-7108 on 20 April 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befoun…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops will work at the Scottish-English border.

Answer · Allan Wilson: Both the Scottish Executive and UK Government have indicated that they intend to introducestatutory coexistence measures. My officials are working closely with theDepartment for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on a range of issues requiring inter-admini…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available for a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops and from where such funding will be allocated.

Answer · Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-7108 on 20 April 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…

22 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be public consultation regarding a voluntary coexistence scheme for farmers growing GM and non-GM crops.

Answer · Allan Wilson: As I made clear in mystatement to Parliament on 10 March, the Executive is committed to establishingstatutory coexistence measures. It is our intention to bring forwardlegislative proposals to Parliament to enable measures to be put in place inadvance of any …

19 Mar 2004 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many family support workers are employed through Sure Start Scotland funding in each local authority area.

Answer · Euan Robson: This information is not heldcentrally.