Rachael Hamilton

8 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposals to permit the use of night sights to cull deer at night will be subject to licensing, or require any qualification, in order to be practiced.

Answer · Lorna Slater: All night shooting of deer requires a specific authorisation by NatureScot. That means that anyone seeking to shoot deer at night must apply to NatureScot and provide the details of the planned management, including where and when the deer will be culled. T…

8 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to introduce remote electronic monitoring (REM) across the trawler fleet.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20615 on 14 August 2023 which provided an update on the Scottish Government’s REM policy, including links to the publication of the outcome report from the consultation which ran from 15 March to 22 June 2022. …

8 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to deliver its commitment of extending the requirement for vessel monitoring and tracking systems across the whole commercial fishing fleet by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20615 on? 14 August 2023 which confirmed that the Scottish Government had launched a consultation seeking views on proposals to extend the tracking and monitoring requirement to under 12 metre commercial fishin…

26 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland. 

Answer · George Adam: The Citizens’ Assembly for Scotland published its final report in January 2021. The Scottish Government published a detailed response on 23 November 2021. Since then, Scottish Government’s commitments on participatory and deliberative democracy have been deve…

23 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people who submitted an application to the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme were unsuccessful, and what the most common reasons were for applications being unsuccessful.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Since 2015 a total of 22,817 initial applications to Warmer Homes Scotland (WHS) did not progress to work being carried out under the scheme. The scheme is targeted at alleviating fuel poverty for the most vulnerable households and so the most common reason f…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) feasibility and (b) potential cost-effectiveness of the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) delivering services related to seafood and bee health in Scotland, compared with having these functions carried out by the proposed Scottish Veterin…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed Scottish Veterinary Service would gather fees from industry, and, if this is the case, what assessment it has made of (a) the potential cost to industry and (b) any impact on (i) food prices for domestic consumers and (ii) costs for (A) exporters of salmon and se…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recommendation in its publication, Extension to the Review of Field Delivery of Animal Health Services in Scotland, that consideration should be given to "import checks including border inspection post operations" being delivered by the Scottish Veterinary Service (SV…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the proposed Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS), and in light of the statement made in its publication, Extension to the Review of Field Delivery of Animal Health Services in Scotland, that "An integrated SVS is likely to be a more attractive employer, provide improved job sa…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to evaluate whether it would be more costly to set up the proposed Scottish Veterinary Service compared with continuing with the status quo, and, if this would be the case, how much more costly it would be, and what evaluation has been made of the value for money of…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation has been made of the current launch timetable for the Scottish Veterinary Service.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) within this Scottish Parliament to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the p…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to any implications of potentially differing regulatory regimes for the new Scottish Veterinary Service, compared to the regime currently in place, particularly in light of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed Scottish Veterinary Service would be funded, in terms of direct taxpayer support, and what assessment it has made of how much this would take from existing Scottish Government funds, in light of its position that it is operating under severe financial pressure.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the proposed Scottish Veterinary Service, what discussions it has had with the UK Government to avoid any potential breach of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is committed to the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) to ensure there are highly trained staff to provide Scotland with good animal health and food safety to meet all our needs across the public and private sector for ani…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the British Veterinary Association's reported concern that the new Scottish Veterinary Service will create a different regime in Scotland, what steps it has taken to ensure interoperability.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government welcomes that the British Veterinary Association sees advantages and opportunities in the creation of a Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS), and also agrees with the veterinary profession's representative body that there are risks that m…

19 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards meeting its reported commitment to enhance the Forestry Grant Scheme to deliver improved support for tree planting around rivers and streams, and when it expects to make any announcement on this matter.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government delivered this commitment on 12 July 2023 when the enhanced Forestry Grant Scheme support for planting trees around rivers and streams was announced and became operational. The ‘Woodlands for Riparian Benefits’ grant is targeted to are…

10 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how biodiversity and habitat connectivity is monitored in productive forests and woodlands, as set out in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Forest Research National Forest Inventory (NFI) provides ecological data on all types of woodland using data drawn from the Woodland Ecological Condition (WEC) assessment. This is a systematic and statistically robust evaluation of ecological condition in…

10 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what long-term assessment has been made of its biodiversity strategy, with particular regard to commercial forestry.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) sets out Priority Actions which are urgently required to achieve the vision of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and reversing the trend by 2045, whilst contributing to addressing climate change. Of particular relevan…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils with additional support needs disappeared from the education system during the 2022-23 academic year, in light of recent reports that thousands of school pupils were unaccounted for by local authorities elsewhere in the UK.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19534 on 24 July 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils disappeared from the education system during the 2022-23 academic year, in light of recent reports that thousands of school pupils were unaccounted for by local authorities elsewhere in the UK.   

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Local authorities may hold this information. The Scottish Government’s guidance ‘Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: a positive approach to the promotion and management of attendance in Sco…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which independent body will be responsible for overseeing the Scottish SPCA's use of enhanced powers in relation to wildlife crime. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: As with the powers Scottish SPCA inspectors currently have under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, powers will be authorised by Scottish Ministers. Scottish Ministers will also have the ability to remove powers from a Scottish SPCA inspector …

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the estimated cost of the specified training that will be undertaken by Scottish SPCA inspectors in relation to wildlife crime, and who will bear the cost.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish SPCA inspectors currently undertake training to enable them to carry out their duties as part of their current responsibilities provided through the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This includes internal training courses, on the job tr…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to update the business and regulatory impact assessment for the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, in light of its intention to afford enhanced powers to the Scottish SPCA in relation to wildlife crime.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government will be consulting over the summer on provisions to allow for a limited extension of the Scottish SPCA’s current powers to investigate wildlife crime. We will consider whether there is a requirement to update the BRIA following the out…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost was of the independent taskforce charged with conducting a review of Scottish SPCA powers.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The total cost of the independent taskforce charged with conducting a review of Scottish SPCA powers was £2834.20.

16 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether any increased use of the junction between the A1 trunk road and the B6438 as a result of the opening of Reston station is a cause for any increased reports of dangerous incidences, and whether it will take any action to mitigate any added risk of increased…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, is a statutory consultee in the planning process on developments that affect the trunk road network, including the A1 at Reston. In support of the Reston station development, Transport Scotland under…

16 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to fully dual the A1 between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government have no plans to fully dual the A1 between Edinburgh and Berwick-Upon-Tweed. A range of potential improvements to the trunk road and motorway network, including the A1, were appraised in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review.…

15 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many reports of illegal fishing have been substantiated by Marine Scotland in each year since 2017.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Marine Scotland does not record whether a report of illegal fishing is substantiated. Any reports are fully investigated and where there is sufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution the Enforcement team can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice up to £10k or make a …

12 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it plans to resume the Super Sponsor Scheme for Ukrainian refugees.  

6 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity has met with its adviser on tick-borne diseases, Prof Roy Brown, to discuss the control of bracken with the use of Asulox.

Answer · Lorna Slater: Whilst I have not met with Professor Roy Brown, I have considered, and values, the information provided by him in relation to the role of bracken in tick population dynamics and human and animal disease. I have accepted an invitation from the Bracken Control…

5 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide emergency approval for the use of asulam for bracken control, in light of reported concerns by farmers that Lyme disease will spread in Scottish hillsides if it is not approved.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scottish Ministers have agreed to HSE refusing the 2023 emergency authorisation application for the use of Asulox, to control bracken, because of the risks it poses to the environment and human health. This follows existing precedent for decisions over pest…