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A formal review of veterinary surveillance in Scotland has not yet begun. Once the review is underway a wide range of interested parties including the farmers and veterinary practices in Orkney and Caithness will have the opportunity of making their views known to the review panel.

There are currently no plans to review the policy on asset management and relocation.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28225 on 6 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

We have received a number of representations from private and public sector organisations, local authorities and MSP''s regarding potential public sector relocation opportunities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28227 on 10 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28225 on 6 November 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Where an analysis of the asset management and location requirements for a specific public body indicates the possibility of a relocation, the Scottish Government will engage with appropriate local authorities about the specific circumstances.

Scottish Agricultural College review the work done at Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre on a quarterly basis. There have been significant year to year fluctuations that are related to market prices for cattle and sheep, the weather and the decline in livestock numbers which has been a particular concern in the north of Scotland.

For comparable periods January to September from 2006 to 2009 there has been downward trend in the number of carcases submitted for post mortem examination. The figures for clinical diagnostic submissions are more erratic but numbers and income are up from £28,620 in January to September 2008 to £39,920 for the same period in 2009.

A formal review of veterinary surveillance in Scotland has not yet begun. We are in the process of actively recruiting an independent person of suitable stature to chair a review panel.

The veterinary surveillance work carried out by Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) is not carried out under contract. The work is managed through a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out the framework and a series of descriptors, revised annually, which set out the detail of what is required.

The disease surveillance activities carried out by SAC include:

Post mortem examinations,

Clinical diagnostic samples,

Collation and analysis of surveillance data,

Investigation of new syndromes,

Wild bird surveys for avian influenza and West Nile virus and

Zoonotic disease - investigation and reporting.

The work required for each of the topics listed above is the subject of a separate descriptor.

In the late 1990s, a research project funded by the European Commission evaluated mesh measurement methodologies for fisheries inspection and research. In 1999, an international study group was set up by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) to look at similar issues. At that point in time scientists were using the so called ICES mesh gauge (which applied a longitudinal force free from human influence) while enforcers and others used the wedge shaped gauge. Both had been used in parallel since the 1960s but gave different results when used on the same netting.

The ICES gauge produced lower values on mesh opening than the wedge gauge. This was thought to have an adverse effect on the selectivity of fishing gears as the mesh sizes in commercial use were smaller in practice than those recommended by scientists. In addition, the courts in some countries had declined to prosecute in several cases where the evidence was obtained with a wedge gauge due to the lack of objectivity in this method of measurement. These factors led to an international demand for the standardisation of mesh measurement technique by fisheries inspectors, scientists and the fishing industry. Both of the earlier studies concluded that a new instrument should be developed and that everyone should use the same method of mesh measurement.

The resultant objective mesh gauge (Omega) was developed subsequently under an EU-funded research project.

It became a legal requirement for inspection services to use the Omega gauge from 1 September 2009.