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The Scottish Ministerial Code outlines the general principle that Ministers should take particular care to avoid conflicts of interest when dealing with planning matters, including the granting of energy consents.

Mechanisms are available to preserve the integrity of decisions from challenge on grounds of prejudice, whereby the Planning Minister or any other Minister involved in the decision-making process can debar themselves from any involvement in the case.

NatureScot provides comprehensive standing advice on badgers in relation to development and planning, which is directly relevant to the responsibilities of local authorities. This guidance is publicly available at: https://www.nature.scot/doc/standing-advice-planning-consultations-badgers. It brings together a range of referenced sources and includes links to more detailed best-practice material, such as collaborative work undertaken around 20 years ago between Scottish Natural Heritage, the Highland Council, and several local developers in the Inverness area. Although produced some time ago, the information and core principles, particularly the importance of a holistic approach to balancing development and badger conservation, remain highly relevant today.

While there is no statutory requirement for developers to protect wider badger habitat, the law does provide strict protection for badgers and their setts. NatureScot’s advice therefore emphasises that planning authorities should also consider associated feeding areas and foraging grounds when assessing proposals. Incorporating these key habitats into development plans helps to avoid situations where legally protected setts become isolated and disconnected from essential food resources. Although such outcomes may technically comply with the law, they are ecologically undesirable, and the guidance encourages local authorities to work proactively to prevent them.

As per my answer to your question S6W-39465 on 29 July 2025. The welfare of fish at the time of slaughter is assured by the requirement at Article 3.1 of retained Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 that ‘animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations.

We are satisfied that existing legislation and the guidance developed in partnership with the industry and NGO’s provides robust protection for the welfare of farmed fish at time of slaughter and have no current plans to consult on further legislation.

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 decision-making process is undertaken in accordance with the Electricity Act 1989, and other applicable regulations pertaining to applications depending on the specific details of each case. Recommendations are made in accordance with regulatory requirements, taking into account all material considerations, including the benefits of the development, the impacts, and accordance with relevant policy.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43110 on 27 January 2026. 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-43110 on 27 January 2026. 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

When determining applications for overhead power lines, made through the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish Ministers must only consider the project outlined within the application documentation. The legislation does not allow for Scottish Ministers to suggest or consider alternatives.

The allocation of ministerial portfolios and responsibilities is a matter for the First Minister and do not follow set criteria. The Minister for Public Finance was considered as the most appropriate in this instance, due to his other ministerial responsibilities for Planning.

Internal protocols for members of the Energy Consents Unit now reflect the transfer of responsibility to the Minister for Public Finance for Electricity Act 1989 consent decisions.

There are no administrative impacts for external stakeholders which would require guidance for Electricity Act 1989 consents applications to be updated.