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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-38281

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 11 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Soil Association’s review statement regarding standards for organic farmed salmon, and what it is doing to encourage and facilitate innovation in the sector.

The Scottish Government is considering the Soil Association’s review of their farmed salmon organic standards and is engaging with them in dialogue.

In response to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee inquiry on salmon farming in Scotland, we set out a broad range of actions we are taking alongside industry and regulators to enhance the development and sustainability of the sector. The Scottish Government is disappointed there was very limited consultation on the outcome of Soil Association’s review and proposals, in light of our work programme.

The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role innovation plays in enabling the sustainable development of Scottish aquaculture. We continue to work with our enterprise agencies, regulators and stakeholders to encourage innovation addressing challenges and creating opportunities for Scottish businesses.

For example, our Marine Fund Scotland awarded over £4.5 million to aquaculture projects in the year 2024-25, facilitating over £17 million of investment across the sector. In May 2024 the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council invested £1.5 million for the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) to deliver applied innovation projects to March 2026. We are also working with stakeholders to develop long term arrangements for innovation support.

Question reference: S6W-38581

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-37676 by Fiona Hyslop on 4 June 2025, what action it will take to ensure that the current transport needs of island communities are met until the new vessels begin sailing on the Northern Isles Ferry Service route, in light of reports that there are currently issues regarding capacity.

Question reference: S6W-37967

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 10 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28903 by Jim Fairlie on 19 August 2024, when the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme review is expected to report, and what engagement is taking place with (a) passengers and (b) other stakeholders regarding the operation of the scheme.

Question reference: S6W-38492

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 09 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding drinking water and public health in Scotland, what its response is to reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency includes asbestos-cement pipes in its overall assessment of asbestos as a hazardous material, in light of reported studies showing that asbestos fibres can penetrate the digestive tract and that there is an association between asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal cancer.

Question reference: S6W-38033

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential (a) disruption and (b) health implications resulting from low-frequency noise emissions for people who are sensitive to them.

Disturbance by low frequency sound is typically described as hearing a low rumble, and it can be distressing, due to sleep disturbance and other symptoms. In some instances the low-frequency noise complaint can be traced to a sound source. If the source can be found then there is a chance the noise can be mitigated. However, in many cases no sound can be traced that could account for the disturbance.

The relevant local authority has responsibilities to consider the granting of any planning permission and enforcement action related to low-frequency noise, supported by the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). The environmental health department of that authority consider and act if there was determined to be a breach of the relevant legislation, such as noise and statutory nuisance legislation.

Question reference: S6W-38054

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 6 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) is possible to speed up the approval process for Seafish training schemes and (b) will commit to funding such courses to begin every June.

Initial discussions have taken place over the opportunity for financial assistance through the Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) to support Seafish to deliver safety training through the approved Scottish providers. Once a full application has been received, we will assess it and consider provision of appropriate assistance. At present funding from the UK Government to deliver the MFS, is only available for 2025-26 and no commitment can be made in future years.

Question reference: S6W-38056

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 6 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Marine Directorate is aware of reports that the fishing vessel, Genesis II, left 45 miles of ghost fishing gear on the seabed to the north of Shetland when it was towed to Lerwick harbour on 3 May 2025, and what action it will take to investigate any such reports.

The Scottish Government is aware of the situation with a UK registered gillnet fishing vessel which had broken down and was towed to Lerwick, leaving its gear in the water. Officers from the Marine Directorate worked with the owners of the vessel as soon as it was made aware of the situation, to ensure the gear was recovered by another vessel.

The master was interviewed for breaching soak time limits and was issued with an Official Warning letter.

Question reference: S6W-38055

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 30 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 6 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be any Seafish training schemes in the current financial year, and, if so, when such schemes will (a) open for registration and (b) begin.

Question reference: S6W-38277

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 June 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 18 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its national thrombectomy services and stroke improvement plan and provision for island and rural communities.

Question reference: S6W-37676

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 June 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the Northern Isles Ferry Service between Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick, when a decision will be made on funding for the two proposed new "Freight Flex" vessels.

Funding has been identified in the 2025-26 budget for a potential contract start on NIFS Freighter replacements. The outline business case work has identified a Freight Flex option as the preferred concept for the two replacement vessels, with higher freight capacity, higher operating speed, and ability to carry up to 200 passengers. CMAL will be progressing a two stage competitive procurement starting soon with a view to signing contracts in early 2026, subject to relevant processes and approval of the final business case.

The delivery of two new vessels for the NIFS routes from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland will support the communities and businesses using this service for years to come, providing additional capacity, particularly during the peak summer and livestock movements periods.