Seòmar agus comataidhean

The NatureScot licensing team will prioritise applications for practitioners to use more than two dogs as a means of controlling predators for preventing serious damage, and where there is a high risk of imminent damage, applications can be turned around within 48 hours.

As stated in the Scottish Policy Prospectus, I am committed to reform crofting law by 2026, subject to agreement by parliament, to support the future of crofting. The Programme for Government 2023-24 commits the Scottish Government to developing and consulting on proposals to reform crofting law. That is a key and necessary part of the process to develop and introduce a bill. We remain committed to doing so in this Parliamentary term.

The Scottish Government has made clear on a number of occasions its intention to maintain direct payments in support of active farming, and to continue to fund farming and food production in a way that delivers for climate and nature.

The Scottish Government defines a “Just Transition” as both an outcome – a fairer, greener future for all – and the process that must be undertaken in partnership with those impacted by the transition.

The Agriculture Bill recognises the importance of both this outcome and approach.

Work is already underway to create a new payment structure, and as with the current one, which has seen 2023 Basic payments begin at the earliest point ever in September year in a row, our intention is for the future structure and system to make payments in a timely manner.

The Agriculture Bill has now been published and introduced to Parliament.

Engagement with stakeholders will continue during the Bill process, and the Scottish Government looks forward to hearing and seeing the evidence that organisations and individuals provide as part of Stage 1 of the bill process.

This week the Scottish Government has launched a further stakeholder engagement programme on the bill measures and tiered approach, which will include interviews, surveys, workshops, testing and trials, and anyone can take part. More information is available here .

Implementation of the new support framework will deliver effective, cost efficient public services, and the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board has been engaged in and provided feedback on the tiered approach.

This week the Scottish Government has launched a further stakeholder engagement programme on the bill measures and tiered approach, which will include interviews, surveys, workshops, testing and trials, and anyone can take part. More information is available here .

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill has now been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

Information on the Bill can be found on the Parliament website here, and all supporting evidence and analysis relating to the Bill can be found here .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20927 on 19 September 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 Scottish Government commissioned a review of gene editing for the benefit of plant health, published in January 2022, from the Plant Health Centre. The review included evidence gathering and participation from a wide range of Scottish academics and research providers, as well as from NFUS, and considered implications for the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors. It included impacts on the natural environment, and a variety of other areas, such as disease resistance, yield, inputs and food production.

The Scottish Government also has access to significant expertise in its advisors, including the Chief Scientific Advisor for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.