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The Aqua Nor Conference in Trondheim was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the innovation, technology and research of Scottish aquaculture to an international audience.

A new Consenting Task Group has been formed to take forward and pilot key recommendations from last year’s independent review of aquaculture regulation. Good progress is being made to inform a new process for managing fish farm applications and the group is working towards piloting new arrangements which will be deployed in two local authority areas later this year.

On Scottish Government’s approach to aquaculture innovation, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22256 on 31 October 2023.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the answer to S6W-22257 on 3 November 2023.

The National Innovation Strategy addresses the challenges and actions we need to take to ensure we deliver across the entire range of innovation activity in Scotland, and how we can best utilise innovation as a driver to grow our economy, create jobs and deliver priority outcomes for all of Scotland's citizens. The Strategy sets out ambitious and transformational programmes on cluster building, investment, productivity, and commercialisation.

The National Innovation Strategy will take a cluster approach to our innovation priorities, and this approach will be a national, regional and local approach. We will work with industry, academia and the public sector to evaluate individual needs to address barriers and opportunities, and providing phased tailored packages of support in each priority area to further stimulate growth and innovation.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

The Scottish Government seeks to support the adoption of innovative aquaculture practices and recognises the role which legislative frameworks and other incentives play in fostering innovation. A recent example is the reduction of SEPA’s CAR licence fees by 50% for sites which plan to utilise innovative waste capture technologies.

The potential for a Scottish marine aquaculture innovation site was explored by the previous Aquaculture Industry Leadership Group. The Scottish Government remains open to discussing the purpose and aims of a marine innovation site further with stakeholders.

Information on those who engaged with the consultation, the findings of this extended engagement and total number that attend the events can be found at this link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/agriculture-bill-analysis-consultation-responses .

Engagement on the Bill, on the Bill proposals, and on the wider Agriculture Reform Programme is constant and extensive. A full list of the roadshow dates can be found at https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/agriculture-reform-programme--arp--roadshow-dates-2023.html

Information on the ARIOB and the meetings can be found at https://www.gov.scot/groups/agriculture-reform-implementation-oversight-board/

Further information on previous Ministerial engagements can be found at this link: https://www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/

The Scottish Government is calling on the agriculture sector to help shape the detail of future support and how it is delivered. This initiative is open to everyone and we would encourage anyone with an interest to register on the Rural Payments website so that their views are represented and they can help influence how future support is delivered.

The Agricultural Reform Route Map sets out the proposed timescales for information and interaction with the agricultural industry.

The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role that innovation plays in enabling the sustainable development of Scottish aquaculture. We will continue to work with our enterprise agencies, innovation centres, and other relevant stakeholders to find ways that encourage innovation that helps the industry address its most pressing challenges while creating opportunities for Scottish businesses.  

For example, the Scottish Government recently sponsored Scotland's Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2023, the world's largest aquaculture technology and trade exhibition, providing £85,000 from the Marine Fund Scotland to allow Scottish businesses to locate together, demonstrate their innovation and science capabilities and make an impact.

The Scottish Government does not hold a list of how many GP surgeries have closed.

Health Boards are responsible for managing GP contracts.

Public Health Scotland publishes quarterly information about GP practices in Scotland.

Gathering Views | HIS Engage

I refer the member to the answer to S6W-22110 on 30 October 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22110 on 30 October 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Stakeholder Group last met on 23 March 2023. Following that meeting, and based on feedback from some members about the effectiveness of bringing such a large group together for time limited meetings, the purpose of the Group was reframed. During the Summer period, some members of the Group took part in smaller workshops on Just Transition and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The Scottish Government will now engage with members on specific, often time sensitive, topics, utilising the Group as a network of experts, being brought together as part of a targeted engagement programme to provide written and oral evidence.

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill will assist in realising the Vision for Agriculture, setting out a framework of support for agriculture, forestry and rural communities, though the four-tier support structure. Work is underway within the established Agriculture Reform Programme (ARP) on transitioning to a new support framework and on developing the detail of what will follow in secondary legislation.

The published Agricultural Reform Route Map provides information for farmers and crofters on when current schemes will transition or end, what they can expect to change from 2025, the support available now to help them prepare, how they can get involved in designing the new framework, and when more guidance, support and information will be available. The Scottish Government is calling on the agriculture sector to help us shape the detail of future of support and how it is delivered through a series of interviews, surveys, workshops, testing and trials and anyone can take part. Volunteers will be reimbursed with payment levels depending on the time and input required and people can register their interest here .

For further information on the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), I refer the member to the Board's Terms of Reference which is periodically reviewed.

Women should be able to access abortion services without fear of intimidation, harassment, or unwanted influence. That is why the Scottish Government has been supporting Ms Gillian Mackay MSP to draft and develop the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.