Brian Whittle

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Scotland’s current food processing capabilities and any opportunities for further development.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has worked jointly with the food and drink industry on the development of a Food & Drink Recovery Plan which has over 50 actions to help the sector recover from the effects of Covid and Brexit. The plan, which has been supported by £15…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to bring seaweed aquaculture into the planning process, in line with existing practice for finfish aquaculture, in order that competing community interests in Scotland's inshore waters can be represented.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: We are committed to taking action on aquaculture regulatory reform, which will include the seaweed sector. A consenting task group is being set up by officials that will examine possible improvements in processes and procedures including consultation mechanis…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any proposals for a regulatory solution for seaweed aquaculture will draw on external research expertise in order to ensure that Scotland's future seaweed cultivation industry develops in a sustainable manner.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As Scotland’s seaweed cultivation industry grows, we must ensure we manage this in a sustainable manner, addressing and mitigating any impact on the natural environment. Research will be key to better understanding the sustainability aspects of growing seawee…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any proposals for a regulatory solution for seaweed aquaculture will be developed in consultation with the wide range of non-seaweed industries that make economic use of Scotland's waters.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The seaweed sector is being considered as part of our broader regulatory review on aquaculture, beginning with the independent report by Professor Russel Griggs published earlier this year. As a next step and in response to the recommendations set out by Prof…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to produce proposals for a regulatory solution for seaweed aquaculture, in line with the recommendations made by Professor Griggs earlier in 2022, and, if so, when.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government recognises the emerging seaweed cultivation industry as an important part of the Scottish aquaculture sector. We are committed to taking action on aquaculture regulatory reform, which will include the seaweed sector. I have welcomed Pr…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the launch of the Farm for Scotland’s Future campaign, what specific support is available for farmers to support nature-rich farming and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and how many people have been supported through any such schemes, broken down by scheme.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scottish Government support schemes available to farmers, crofters and land managers to support nature-rich farming and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions are: Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) AECS provides important funding to the sector to help…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with farmers regarding feed additives and changing feed in response to new technologies to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: No methane inhibiting feed additive products have yet been approved for use in Scotland but the Scottish Government has been receiving interest from the livestock industry about the potential of such products. In their report last year the Suckler Beef Climag…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the use of animal feed additives and innovative feeds that can reduce methane emissions from livestock, in order to support sustainable farming.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Through the ClimateXChange centre of expertise the Scottish Government has received expert advice on the use of animal feed additives which have the potential to reduce methane emissions. This advice has suggested that more data are needed to assess the full …

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07204 by Mairi Gougeon on 24 March 2022, in light of the publication of its vision for agriculture, how it plans to support partnerships between renewable energy and agricultural pursuits.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Proposals for future agricultural support will be co-developed with rural partners through the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) and with wider civil society through a consultation in summer 2022 to inform the introduction of a Scottis…

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on the commitment in its Programme for Government to "put in place measures to seek to double the amount of land used for organic farming by 2026".

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Agri Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) has supported the conversion of over 34,000 Ha of land to organic standards over the life of the Scheme and the total area under management in 2022 is 85,077 Ha. To date a total of 495 organics contracts have been ap…

14 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what targets have been set for solar energy generation in Scotland as part of its plans for achieving net zero.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of energy generated from solar PV in contributing to the decarbonisation of Scotland’s energy supply, and helping us meet our targets for a net zero emissions society by 2045. In support of this, the Scottish…

7 Jun 2022 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it last reviewed the requirements for members to access legal services funded through the Members Expenses Scheme in order to ascertain whether the current criteria are fit for purpose.

1 Jun 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scotland’s education system is properly aligned with the future workforce requirements of the emerging green economy.

18 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what biodiversity metrics will used to determine whether the National Planning Framework 4 meets the outcome of “securing positive effects for biodiversity”, as set out in the amended Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

Answer · Tom Arthur: In response to the amended Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, Draft National Planning Framework (NPF) 4 sets out policy proposals which aim to deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity from development. A key element for the successful implement…

18 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will respond to the recommendations in the Scottish Environment LINK report, Scotland’s environmental ambitions, From rhetoric to reality: revisited.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government published a report to Parliament on 29 March 2022, outlining progress in developing the new Environment Strategy for Scotland ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/environment-strategy-scotland-progress-report-parliament/ ). This repor…

11 May 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to improving data gathering and data management across government as part of the development of policies relating to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

29 Apr 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to support the return of disability sport in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

26 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support people who are experiencing poor mental health as a result of long COVID.

20 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to support the food and drink supply chain in order to increase the percentage of Scottish products in the food and drink that it is responsible for supplying to local authorities, NHS boards and other public bodies.

20 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering to provide training opportunities to existing heating engineers to gain the qualifications required to install and/or maintain heat pumps.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: There are a number of current initiatives funded by Scottish Government aimed at providing support to industry to upskill their workforce and gain the necessary qualifications to effectively install/ maintain low carbon heating systems. Current initiatives i…

20 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has given any consideration to offering funding for maintenance and aftercare of heat pumps through the Warmworks programme to offset the potential for higher costs due to the reported scarcity of qualified engineers.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: All boiler and heating systems, including Air Source Heat Pumps installed under Warmer Homes Scotland are guaranteed for a 2 year period. Warmworks, the Managing Agent for the scheme provide a one year maintenance warranty with the installer and this runs fro…

20 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to rapidly increase the number of engineers that are qualified to maintain heat pumps.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: A broad range of different skills are needed to support the heat in buildings transition, however we are aware that the installer skills for zero emissions heating and energy efficiency represent the largest gap. Unlocking investment in the supply chain must…

20 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the reportedly relatively low number of qualified heat pump engineers on the average maintenance costs for a heat pump, compared to a conventional gas heating system where a greater number of qualified engineers can deliver greater c…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: It is vital that the supply chain for the installation and maintenance of zero emission heating systems is equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications to provide a high quality and responsive service to consumers. We estimate that the supply of skil…

20 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement the recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Heat Pump Sector Deal Expert Advisory Group.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We are considering the recommendations made by the Heat Pump Sector Deal Expert Advisory Group within its final report and will respond later this year alongside the publication of our Heat in Buildings Supply Chain Delivery Plan.

31 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its seafood strategy.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As set out in our Programme for Government, we will be setting out full details of our Seafood Trade Strategy this year. Following on from the launch of the Blue Economy Vision in March, the strategy will set out actions to revitalise the sector consistent w…

23 Mar 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that building standards on construction of new housing developments maximise energy efficiency and opportunities for renewable energy generation.

16 Mar 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Climate Change Committee's latest report Is Scotland Climate Ready?, which states that progress in delivering climate change adaptation measures in Scotland has stalled.

9 Mar 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scotland’s economy has a workforce ready to make the most of opportunities that the transition to net zero and the wider low carbon economy can offer.

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether biodiversity enhancement from solar farms will be included in its review of agriculture support schemes.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07181 on 24 March 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/writte…

3 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the running and installation costs for consumers who are required by legislation to adopt heat pumps.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has not made any legislation that would require the adoption of a heat pump in any building. Rather, as part of our Heat in Buildings Strategy, we have proposed that all homes will be regulated to use zero emissions heating systems by…