Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 1670 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S5W-36206

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 23 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether Marine Scotland has considered evidence suggesting that almost all fish farms that use acoustic deterrent devices use multiple arrays of these and, if so, and in light of the reported concerns regarding how the use of these devices might impact on animal welfare, what action the agency plans to take.

Marine Scotland, which is a Directorate of the Scottish Government, published an information note and FAQs for operators of fish farms on the use of acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) and the requirement for an EPS licence.

As required by the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020, the report submitted on 1 March to Parliament on the use of ADDs at Scottish finfish farms includes a chapter on the sufficiency of existing monitoring of ADD use. A conclusion of this report is that the Scottish Government will work with the sector and regulators to establish a more systematic process for gathering information on ADDs operated at Scottish finfish farms. This information will be used to inform future action.

Question reference: S5W-36094

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 23 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the sound pressure level in decibels was at which Kok et al (2017) recorded avoidance by harbour porpoises; what the sound pressure level was at which Brandt et al (2012) recorded a 96% reduction in porpoise clicks at a station 7kms away from a single Lofitec acoustic deterrent device, and what sound pressure level in decibels Marine Scotland has determined as the threshold for disturbance for small cetaceans.

The papers cited in this question are both available in the public domain. The type of Acoustic Deterrent Device used in the Brandt et al. (2012) study (Lofitech) is only used in Scottish waters as a mitigation to move marine mammals out of areas where they may be injured by construction or blasting noise. It is not in use at Scottish fish farms (Scottish Government 2021).

The threshold applied by the Government of 120 dB re 1 µPa (rms) for the onset of potential disturbance from non-impulsive sounds is based upon guidance from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( ESA Section 7 Consultation Tools for Marine Mammals on the West Coast | NOAA Fisheries ).

Question reference: S5T-02719

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 March 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how the regulation of Mossmorran ethylene plant will change following the independent review.

Question reference: S5W-35879

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what research has been carried out into the role of released non-native gamebirds in the spread of Avian Influenza.

The Scottish Government has not commissioned any research on the role of released gamebirds in the spread of Avian Influenza because there is no scientific evidence to suggest that any links exist.

In addition to the active surveillance through the national survey for avian influenza in domestic poultry, including game birds kept in captivity and surveillance of dead wild birds undertaken across GB, a thorough epidemiological assessment is completed after each outbreak of Avian Influenza, these include ornithological assessments. No evidence has been found of released game birds having a role on the spread of Avian Influenza.

Evidence to date shows that Avian Influenza is mostly spread in the wild by migratory bird species such as geese, swans, ducks and other species in close contact with them including birds of prey and other waterfowl that share similar habitats.

Question reference: S5W-35877

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that pheasants and other gamebirds due to be released in autumn 2021 are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency Poultry Register, and to improve avian influenza health checks of gamebirds in place prior to their release.

There is no evidence that released gamebirds have been linked to onwards transmission of Avian Influenza. There is a legal requirement for all bird keepers with 50 or more birds to register their premises on the Great Britain Poultry Register. The voluntary registration of premises with fewer than 50 birds is highly encouraged. This includes captive game birds. Game birds are considered captive until the point of release where they become wild birds.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency carries out active surveillance through the national survey for avian influenza of subtypes H5 and H7 in domestic poultry (including game birds and poultry kept as pets). Samples are taken from a random selection of premises and are subject to serological testing for AI antibodies. Any positive results trigger further enquiries at the premises in question and further laboratory testing.

Furthermore, the Scottish Government has worked together with other UK administrations and the gamebird sector to create the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes . The code of practice provides information on good biosecurity, husbandry and inspection measures to prevent disease.

Question reference: S5W-35878

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 22 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that the large numbers of non-native gamebirds released into the countryside do not act as vectors of Avian Influenza.

There is no evidence that released gamebirds have been linked to onwards transmission of Avian Influenza. Gamebirds are considered captive birds until they are released and are subject to the restrictions set out in the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The new housing measures, which came into force on 14 December, remain in place and mean that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

Once game birds have been released they are classified as wild birds. Surveillance of dead wild birds in undertaken across GB. If you find a single dead bird of prey, gull or wildfowl species (particularly wild geese, wild ducks, swans), or find five or more birds of any other species in the same location and at the same time, then you should report these incidents to GB Dead Wild Bird Helpline.

Question reference: S5W-35908

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of experience gained from the second year of the management of beavers as a protected species, what plans NatureScot has to review the Beaver Management Framework to (a) reduce the requirement for the need for lethal control concerns and (b) facilitate an expansion of the population to occupy suitable habitat (i) inside and (ii) outside its current range.

NatureScot supports an adaptive management approach to wildlife management and, in consultation with stakeholders through the Scottish Beaver Forum, keeps the Beaver Management Framework under constant review through application of their processes and guidance.

(a) When beavers became a European Protected Species in May 2019, NatureScot undertook to conduct a review of licensing after two years of operation. This review is underway, with the input from the Scottish Beaver Forum. In addition, the trialling of innovative mitigation measures and discussion on future rural support payments is intended to reduce the need for lethal control in the future.

(b) Work is ongoing to reduce the need for lethal control and NatureScot have announced that they would be open to applications under the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations for the movement of beavers from conflict areas to other suitable locations within or on the edge of range of their existing their current range.

We are discussing with NatureScot the circumstances, including the experience with beaver management, which might allow the policy on translocation of beavers to include release sites outside their current range in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-35902

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many flood mitigation trials deploying translocated beavers were established in the calendar year 2020.

Question reference: S5W-35900

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many beavers were translocated to (a) suitable habitats in existing beaver ranges in Scotland and (b) contained trial sites in England in the calendar year 2020.

Question reference: S5W-35910

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many spot-checks of licensees for the lethal control of beavers were carried out in the calendar year, 2020, also broken down by how many (a) discrepancies were identified and (b) licences were revoked.

COVID restrictions have limited some of NatureScot’s operational activities, including the ability to undertake site visits throughout 2020.

NatureScot has not carried out spot-checks on beaver licence compliance in 2020, but maintains contact with those in receipt of licences.

NatureScot is currently considering how routine site visits could be carried out in the future.

Compliance checks are made as part of checking licence returns.

(a) Discrepancies were identified in 3 licence returns from 2019 and have been followed up.

(b) 1 licence was revoked pending a site visit

Three licence holders failed to submit returns in 2020 and are currently being dealt with by NatureScot in accordance with the compliance process.