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http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/pageType2.php?id=35&type=2&navID=92.

Overseen by scientists from the Scottish Biodiversity Committee, this is an exciting development in our knowledge of biodiversity in Scotland as it is the first time such a stock take has been done in Scotland.

The Scottish Biodiversity List comprises four spreadsheets: terrestrial and freshwater species, terrestrial and freshwater habitats; marine species and habitats, and the results of the social survey. The criteria and the consultants’ reports which led to the production of these lists will also be available from the same link.

The publication of the Scottish Biodiversity List satisfies the requirement in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act to publish by 1 January 2006 such lists to inform the further conservation of biodiversity by public bodies in doing their Biodiversity Duty.

It is expected that the Scottish Biodiversity List will form an important information source for all.

Delivery of Service:

To achieve 95% of the performance targets set in the schedules to the service level agreement.

To achieve 86% of the milestones agreed for research and development projects.

To achieve an output of 1.3 publications per scientific member of staff.

To produce 22 information leaflets and 10 major articles in the industry press.

Quality of Service:

To begin implementation of the Joint Code of Practice for Research issued by the BBSRC, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, FSA and NERC, and endorsed by Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Development Department, within two areas of the agency’s research.

To submit the scientific work of the Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health Programme to a peer review during 2005-06, and to put in place an agreed action plan to implement recommendations by the end of March 2006.

To achieve accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to ISO 17025 standard of the monitoring programmes for four new areas of work by March 2006.

Efficiency Targets:

94% of costs to be recovered from external customers (other than those agreed to be undertaken at marginal or shared costs).

To restrict administrative staff costs to a maximum of 18% of the total staff costs.

To achieve a research vessel utilisation of 96%, operating at a daily cost of £12,689 for Scotia and £3,665 for Clupea.

To achieve cash releasing efficiency gains to the value of 1% of FRS’ budget.

These targets should provide a sound basis for evaluating performance by establishing a time series for certain indicators and by requiring external scrutiny by accreditors and scientific peers.

This announcement follows a lengthy consultation process which involved environmental groups, government bodies and members of the public. Following consultation with Argyll and Bute Council, conditions were attached to this consent to safeguard local and environmental interests.

This announcement follows a lengthy consultation process which involved environmental groups, government bodies and members of the public. Conditions were attached to this consent to safeguard local and environmental interests.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 requires education authorities to identify, meet and keep under review the additional support needs of all pupils, including those for whom English is an additional language. The act also introduces a new framework for collaboration between schools and other agencies to ensure that all the needs of the individual child are met. For 2005-06, we are providing £9.5 million to support implementation of the act, £25 million to support the inclusion of pupils with additional support needs in mainstream schools and

£7.2 million for specific staff training around additional support needs.

The Executive has commissioned the Scottish English as an Additional Language Co-ordinating Council (SEALCC) and the Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland to produce a document on good practice for teaching pupils who have English as an additional language. This document will be published early next year. The Executive has already published an Education Guide for Asylum Seekers which may also be of use to migrant workers and their families. Our Relocation Advisory Service also provides information on education and child care opportunities to families who are considering relocating to Scotland.

Two Environment Council matterswere included on the agenda in the absence of a meeting of Environment Ministerswithin the relevant deadlines. These were taken as “B” points at the request ofDenmark. On the first, the Council was unable to act on the Commission’s proposalon a GM maize authorisation due to the absence of a qualified majority in favouror against. On the second, however, the Council did adopt a Decision amending Annex II of Directive 2000/53/EC of the European Parliamentand of the Council on end-of-life vehicles.

On Agriculture, Poland requested the Commission remove surplus cereal production from the Countriesof Central Europe through the use of free market tenders rather than interventionstorage. Austria suggested that the intervention criteria for grains beadjusted to respond to difficulties caused by bad weather this year. The Czech Republic, Slovakia andHungary supported both requests. The Commission were aware of the serious situationand said they had made every effort within the rules to ease it.

Italy, supported byFrance, Greece, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Cyprus and Portugal, drew the Commission’sattention to the crises in its wine and fruitand vegetables markets, caused by drops in price. They asked for a further increase in the quantity of crisis distillationand called for the Commission to present its proposals on crisis management as soonas possible. The Agriculture Commissioner explained that they were considering options.They were planning a reform of the fresh and processed fruit and vegetables sectorsfor the second half of 2006.

On wine, the Commissioner explainedthat the Management committee of 6 September had given a favourable opinion on the opening of crisis distillation fortable wine in Italy. A reform of the wine CMO would be launched in 2006.

The Czech Republic, supported by Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus and Slovakia, requested a derogation from the CAP reform regulationwhich would allow them to make payments under the single area payment scheme (SAPS)earlier than 1 December. The Commission explained that there was no legal basisfor an earlier payment date this year, unless in the case of an emergency.

The Commissioner forHealth and Consumer Protection gave an update on the situation on Avian Influenzain south East Asia and Russia and on the actions taken and planned.

The Agriculture Commissionerprovided the Council with an update on the state of play of the World Trade OrganizationNegotiations.

On Fisheries, in a frontloadingexercise ahead of December Council, ministers held an exchange of views on the Presidencydiscussion paper concerning the options and principles for enhancing stock recoverymeasures. Most member states stressed that decisions should only be taken on thebasis of sound and updated science. However, there was a general opinion that closedareas would not be effective in helping cod recovery and that current managementarrangements should be given the chance to work.

Under any other business, theCommission gave a short presentation on methods being considered to help the industrywith high fuel prices. The Commission was against subsidising vessels running costs,but did remind member states that money from the Financial Instrument for FisheriesGuidance could be used to give vessels tie up aid or subsidise the purchase of morefuel efficient gear. In the long-term many member states supported the use of morefuel efficient engines and renewable energy. Member states noted the presentation.

There are currently no proposals from First ScotRail to change the service level commitment in respect of sleeper services. Any change would have to be approved by the franchise authority.

First ScotRail is committed to spend £1 million on refurbishing the passenger accommodation within sleeper vehicles as a franchise commitment.

Direct support for those facing redundancy will be provided through the Executive’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) framework.