- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 24 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it accepts the recommendation of Heriot-Watt University’s review of Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) role in the planning process that states that SNH should limit its official objections to UK or European law breaches or in respect of the most substantial development proposals.
Answer
The Heriot Watt University reviewof Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) role in planning casework is still being finalisedby the consultants. Once the report has been finalised it will be for Scottish NaturalHeritage, in the first instance, to consider the recommendations and any actionthey intend to take. I look forward to discussing with SNH now they do so.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 24 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is to improve the accuracy of the determination of croft boundaries and when it last discussed this with the Crofters Commission.
Answer
As with all privately owned land,the responsibility for accurate boundary information rests with the owner and occupierof that land. Determination of boundary disputes is a matter for the courts ratherthan the Crofters Commission. The Register of Crofts held by the Crofters Commissionwill record such boundary information as is supplied to it. No formal discussionson improving the accuracy of croft boundaries have been held with the Crofters Commission.The commission already assists landowners and crofters in identifying boundaries.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 January 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 24 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive how many local nature reserves have been approved by Scottish ministers since May 2007.
Answer
This is a matter entirely withinthe responsibility of local authorities.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 January 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria were used, or will be used, when determining the distribution of funding from the European Fisheries Fund between the highlands and islands and the rest of Scotland.
Answer
The allocation of European FisheriesFund resources between the convergence area of the Highlands and Islands and thenon-convergence area of the rest of Scotland was determined, at the memberstate level, by the European Commission. The UK’s convergence and separatenon-convergence allocations were then split by agreement between all four UK administrations,largely based on historic allocation and expenditure patterns of the predecessorfund the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 January 2008
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive when the European Fisheries Fund will be opened to applications from Scottish businesses and when the first payments will be made to successful applicants.
Answer
The European Fisheries Fund willopen to applications once the UK Government has submitted, and the EC approved,the UK Operational Programme. It is anticipated that the programme will be operationaltowards the end of 2008. Subsequent grant payments will be dependent on businessesincurring approved project expenditure and submitting eligible claims to the ScottishGovernment.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the detailed remit of the group which will take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland.
Answer
The crab and lobster strategy is at an early stage andmy officials are currently discussing the membership of a steering group to leadthe development of the strategy. Amongstother things, I expect the strategy will look at stocks, marketing, regulation, the widermarine environment and how best to develop a high quality product that can maximisethe return from catch. The strategy willbe guided throughout by our overarching aimsof ensuring a sustainable, profitable fishing industry that supports strong andvibrant fishing communities.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive which individuals and bodies will be consulted by the group which is to take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland.
Answer
Work on a crab and lobsterstrategy is at an early stage and will proceed as part of the work taken forwardby the Scottish Fisheries Council. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholdersthe membership for the steering group to lead development of the strategy. It isenvisaged that the steering group will engage with the full range of sectoral andother relevant stakeholder interests to take matters forward. Formal consultationrequirements can only be determined once the strategy is developed.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the detailed remit of the group which will undertake the development of the Scottish Scallop Management Strategy.
Answer
Work on a crab and lobsterstrategy is at an early stage. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholdersthe membership of a steering group to lead the development of the strategy. It isenvisaged that the steering group will represent a wide range of sectoral interestsreflecting industry structure, geographical distribution of interests and the needto take into account scientific and technical expertise as well as economic andsustainability issues.
Amongst other things I expectthe strategy will look at stocks marketing regulations including technical conservation,the wider marine environment and how best to develop a high quality product thatcan maximise the return from the catch. The strategy will be guided throughout byour overarching aims of ensuring a sustainable, profitable fishing industry thatsupports strong and vibrant fishing communities.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive which individuals and bodies will be consulted during the development of the planned Scottish Scallop Management Strategy.
Answer
Work on the Scottish ScallopManagement Strategy is at an early stage and will proceed as part of the work takenforward by the Scottish Fisheries Council. It is envisaged that the steeringgroup will engage with the full range of sectoral and other relevant stakeholderinterests as it takes matters forward. Formal consultation requirements can onlybe determined once the strategy is developed.
- Asked by: Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2007
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to announce the membership of the group which is to take forward a crab and lobster strategy for Scotland.
Answer
Work on a crab and lobsterstrategy is at an early stage. My officials are currently discussing with stakeholdersthe membership of a steering group to lead the development of the strategy. It isenvisaged that the steering group will represent a wide range of sectoral interestsreflecting industry structure, geographical distribution of interests and the needto take into account scientific and technical expertise as well as economic andsustainability issues.
