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The Forestry Grant Scheme has committed the following sums, in each complete financial year since 2021-22, for the natural regeneration of native woodlands and invasive species control.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43010 on 27 January 2026. 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/written-questions-and-answers.

The criteria used in the evidence report gate check process for Local Development Plans are set out in relevant legislation and Scottish Government guidance. These include the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, the Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2023, National Planning Framework 4 (February 2023), and the Scottish Government’s Local Development Planning Guidance (May 2023).

Each gate check submission is different and the reporter’s role is to consider the evidence before them. As a result, whilst each reporter undertakes the gate check assessment using the same criteria, some differences in the content of decision reports/letters are to be expected.

In relation to assessing proposed housing land targets, the guidance advises that the appointed reporter is expected to consider whether there is sufficient information to establish the indicative Local Housing Land Requirement (LHLR), and whether the evidence provided is presented in a transparent and understandable way.

Pages 62–64 of the LDP guidance outline the types of evidence that planning authorities may wish to present when proposing an indicative LHLR. This can include:

• Minimum All-Tenure Housing Land Requirements (MATHLR) set out in National Planning Framework 4;
• Any more recent Housing Needs and Demand Assessment (HNDA);
• The Local Housing Strategy;
• Evidence on ineffective stock or windfall assumptions; and
• Any other up-to-date evidence or policy considerations.

The reporter considers the sufficiency and clarity of the methodology and figures used, as well as any stakeholder comments, rather than applying any fixed weighting to individual criteria. Where the evidence is not sufficient or clearly explained, the return of the evidence report to the authority allows issues to be addressed before decisions are taken on housing land allocation in the proposed plan.

The Scottish Government has received a range of feedback from planning authorities on the clarity and consistency of the evidence report gate check process for Local Development Plans. Planning authorities have raised concerns which have been shared directly with Planning Officials and me, about perceived contradictions and a lack of clarity in the various sources of guidance. Planning authorities are unclear what constitutes sufficient evidence which causes uncertainty and makes evidence report preparation more resource intensive and time-consuming than expected. These issues were highlighted both through ongoing engagement with Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) and in discussions with individual councils.

I took part in the gate check summit on 8 December, during which planning authorities reiterated these concerns and noted that aspects of guidance produced by PARD and the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) appeared unclear or inconsistent. This feedback has informed subsequent work to produce updated and clearer guidance for authorities, and I continue to engage with Planning Officials on this matter.

From the DPEA perspective, having a small, dedicated team of reporters contributes to consistency in assessments. DPEA has also adapted the format of gate check reports and letters to improve clarity and focus on key issues. Pre-submission meetings have been offered to all authorities which allow those working on evidence reports to seek guidance on matters of uncertainty. Additionally, follow-up meetings have been held with authorities after the return of evidence reports to support understanding and next steps.

The following table lists the 12 insufficient evidence reports that have been returned to date.

As per my answer to your question S6W-39465 on 29 July 2025. The welfare of fish at the time of slaughter is assured by the requirement at Article 3.1 of retained Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 that ‘animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.

We are satisfied that existing legislation and the guidance developed in partnership with the industry and NGO’s provides robust protection for the welfare of farmed fish at time of slaughter and have no current plans to consult on further legislation.

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/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government does not hold a centrally maintained dataset specifically identifying developments as data centres within the planning system.

Planning applications are submitted, assessed and determined by planning authorities, and information on the type, scale and energy demand of proposals is recorded through local authority planning registers and associated supporting documentation.

The Scottish Government engages with planning authorities, the energy sector and wider stakeholders to understand emerging development trends, including those associated with digital infrastructure and data centres.

Regulation of veterinary medicines is a reserved matter for the UK Government. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is responsible for enforcing Veterinary Medicines Regulations and undertaking appropriate monitoring in fulfilment of their regulatory duties.

Antibiotics are only prescribed by veterinarians and must be used responsibly where required for the health and welfare of farmed fish, as legally required under the reserved Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.

Scotland participated in the development of the UK’s 20 year vision to contain and control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by 2040, and is committed to delivering the strategic outcomes of the 2024 – 2029 National Action Plan, through a national implementation plan. This includes a commitment to support operators to protect animal health, including aquaculture, and reduce the need for antibiotics.

The Scottish Government is committed to the “One Health” approach of the 20 year AMR vision, which recognises human health is linked to the health of animals, plants, the environment and food. The VMD monitors levels of antimicrobial resistance in animals which is combined with data regarding levels of antimicrobial resistance detected in humans as part of this One Health approach.

Regulation of veterinary medicines is a reserved matter for the UK Government. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is responsible for enforcing Veterinary Medicines Regulations and undertaking appropriate monitoring in fulfilment of their regulatory duties.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43099 on 23 January 2026. 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/written-questions-and-answers

The regulation of veterinary medicines as a reserved matter for the UK Government and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is responsible for market authorisation of antibiotics, including publication of antibiotic sales and sectorial usage statistics, and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.

The VMD publish antibiotic sales and usage figures annually in the Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance Sales and Surveillance (VARSS) Report. Figures for antibiotics sales figures, including aquaculture, are provided by the veterinary pharmaceutical companies marketing these products to the VMD, and this is a statutory requirement. The VARSS report also includes data on usage in different animal sectors, including fish, and the VMD works in partnership with various animal sectors to develop, facilitate and coordinate antibiotic usage data collection systems. These data are reported on a voluntary basis.

For the purpose of environmental protection, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) places licence conditions on marine fish farm operators to record and report antibiotic treatments to SEPA, including the product and volume used. The requirement for enforcement action associated with non-compliance in returns is assessed in line with SEPA’s enforcement approach.