Seòmar agus comataidhean

The most recent estimate of the economic value of pollinators for honey and crop production in Scotland is understood to be in the order of £43 million per year (source: Aspinall, R. et al. (2011). Status and Changes in Ecosystems and their Services to Society: Scotland. UK National Ecosystem Assessment: Technical Report. Cambridge. UNEP-WCMC, p. 895-977). https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/status-and-changes-in-ecosystems-and-their-services-to-society-sc .

The Natural Capital Asset Index (NCAI), produced by Scottish Natural Heritage shows that Scotland’s stock of natural capital continues to increase. This index compiles a range of benefits which the environment provides to society, and the ability of Scotland’s habitats to support pollinators is included in the NCAI.

The Muirburn Code, which was recently reviewed and updated, provides best practice guidance for the burning and cutting of vegetation. The Code also sets out existing statutory requirements and offences relating to muirburn. It has been estimated that over 50% of wildfires are caused by muirburn amongst other accidental, careless or criminal actions.

The Grouse Moor Management Group, chaired by Professor Werritty, is examining the environmental impact of grouse moor management practices including muirburn and its report is expected later this summer. It would not be sensible to commit to further regulation or to changes to the status of the Muirburn Code in advance of receiving Professor Werritty’s report.

In the meantime, it is extremely important that land managers adhere to the Muirburn Code and its associated statutory requirements and that all members of the public exercise care to avoid accidentally causing wildfires, especially in dry conditions. Anyone who has reason to think an offence has been or is being committed should report it to Police Scotland.

Landowners and managers actions when carrying out muirburn is covered by the Muirburn Code which also sets out the criminal offences associated with irresponsible muirburn.

Decisions on whether any muirburn was reckless and requires prosecution would be a matter for Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Where there is any indication that wilful or reckless fire raising has caused a wildfire, the SFRS will support colleagues within Police Scotland to investigate the circumstances, as is the case across all fire types the SFRS attend.

Such actions could also be classified as wilful fire raising, a common law offence which could result in imprisonment if any perpetrator was found guilty.

I would urge anyone carrying out muirburn to be very mindful of the Code to ensure our natural heritage is not put at risk by wildfires and anyone who feels that a crime has been committed should report this to Police Scotland for investigation.

Ramsar sites have been protected through co-designation with other regimes since they were first designated in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to meeting its obligations under the Ramsar Convention and to providing a high level of protection for Ramsar sites in Scotland, through co-designation with Natura 2000 sites and/or Sites of Special Scientific Interest and protection under the relevant statutory regimes. The guidance published in January 2019 on the implementation of Scottish Government policy on protecting Ramsar sites restated and explained existing policy contained within Scottish Planning Policy 2014, and did not change the level of protection for Ramsar sites.

The answer referred to does not relate to renewable energy developments. Current policy on renewable energy developments and nature conservation is available on the websites of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The vast majority of Ramsar designated land in Scotland is also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and all land within Ramsar sites is designated as a SSSI and/or as a Natura 2000 site (a Special Protection Area and/or a Special Area of Conservation), appropriate to the site. Our policy remains that Ramsar sites are also Natura 2000 sites and/or SSSI sites and are protected under the relevant statutory regimes.

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) has been developed through a full public consultation process and subject to all statutory and other assessment requirements as appropriate. In particular, SPP 2014 and any significant policy changes in SPP 2010 were subject to an environmental assessment, with an environmental report published and views invited.

The Scottish Government published guidance in January 2019 on the implementation of Scottish Government policy on protecting Ramsar sites. This guidance restated and explained existing policy contained within Scottish Planning Policy 2014.

The projects receiving funding in 2019/20 can be found here: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/sustainability-climate-change/climate-challenge-fund/ccf-in-action/funded-projects-map/ .

The total overall spend for 2019-20 is £8 million, from which a total of 87 projects will receive funding.