Seòmar agus comataidhean

Irefer the member to the answer given to question S2W-3377 on 5 November 2003. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for whichcan be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

The Executive’s actions toreduce greenhouse gas emissions cut across a number of different policy areas.In each of these areas, the main policy driver may not necessarily be climatechange, but the impact on greenhouse gas emissions is an importantconsideration when policies are being formulated. The Scottish ClimateChange Programme, available on the Executive's climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange,includes information on expenditure in a number of these areas. Suchexpenditure will often bring social, economic and environmental benefits besidethat of reducing greenhouse gas emissions: we do not keep records of theproportion of expenditure directly attributable to emission reductions.

There is no data availablespecifically on emissions from peat soils.

The most recently publisheddata on Scottish greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions from all soilsdue to land use change are available in the publication Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2000. A copy of this report has beenplaced in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 29467) and is alsoavailable on the Executive’s climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange.

he Executive recognises thatpeatland also offers the potential to assist delivery of its target for reducedcarbon emissions by 2050. The Scottish Executive supports the maintenance andrestoration of peatlands through its agri-environment schemes and throughScottish Natural Heritage (SNH). SNH’s Natural Care Schemes are targetedthrough the Caithness and Sutherland and Lewis Peatland Management Schemesas well as other management agreements with individual owners and occupiers ofpeat bogs.

Projects aimed atrestoration of blanket and raised bogs in Scotland have additionally benefited from substantial supportfrom the EC Life-Nature Programme. These initiatives have received Scottish Executive support and this will continue in future where appropriate.

Datain the format requested are not collected by the Executive. The most recent data on Scottish greenhouse gasemissions are availablein the publication Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2000. A copy of this report hasbeen placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 29467) and is alsoavailable on the Executive’s climate change website at www.scotland.gov.uk/climatechange.

Scottish Natural Heritage(SNH) operates a number of management schemes which include prescriptions toensure the sympathetic management and restoration of peat bogs. These includethe Caithness and Sutherland Peatland Management Scheme, the LewisPeatlands Management Scheme and the Skye Peatlands Management Scheme. Scottish NaturalHeritage also negotiates individual management agreements with the owners andoccupiers of peat bogs throughout Scotland. Total expenditure on SNH management agreements thattarget peatland features was:

1998-99	£597,314
1999-2000	£562,898
2000-01	£605,802
2001-02	£647,409
2002-03	£674,469

In addition to thesemanagement agreements, SNH has contributed approximately £0.5 million for peatbog restoration in Scotland through EC LIFE Nature schemes.

TheExecutive is working with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and theDepartment for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on the implementation of theDirective, and is represented on an Office of the Deputy Prime Ministerimplementation group.

I am publishing today a consultation paper: River Basin Districts - Proposals for Scotland. I am placing copies in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 28995).

The Executive promised to consult before a final decision was taken on the boundaries of the proposed river basin districts, and this new consultation fulfils that commitment. The consultation paper contains the Executive’s legislative intentions for the implementation of the designation of River Basin Districts in Scotland and in the cross border area with England.

The act has laid the foundation for a modernised approach to protecting and enhancing the water environment. The need to involve, take account of and balance all interests will be a cornerstone of this new approach, especially in the cross border areas, where we will work closely with the Scottish Environment ProtectionAgency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to ensure effective implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

All past amendments to the Scottish Rural Development Plan (SDRP) have been the subject of consultation. We have already consulted on proposed improvements to support for environmentally-friendly and organic farming for intended inclusion in this year's SRDP amendment.

It is our normal practice to consult about proposed changes to the Scottish Rural Development Plan. Accordingly if the mid-term evaluation exercise identifies the need for change then any proposals to amend the plan will be subject to consultation.