Seòmar agus comataidhean

As part of our commitment for the decarbonisation of the Scottish Government vehicle fleet, our replacement policy since 2015 has been to consider the overall environmental impact of the fleet and actively reduce the emissions produced by replacing end of life petrol and diesel vehicles with zero or ultra-low emission alternatives where possible.

The Scottish Government's use of official cars aligns with its environmental and sustainability targets through a focus on reducing emissions and promoting low-carbon transportation solutions. This includes key initiatives including the transition to low-emission and zero emission vehicles.

The Scottish Government consultation “Managing deer for Climate and Nature” proposed implementing the recommendation from the independent Deer Working Group’s report of January 2020, to make changes to the close season for female deer. These changes may be made by order under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. However, following consultation with stakeholders, I have concluded that, in most cases, the cull levels required to reduce the overall deer population to support nature and climate objectives can be achieved within existing deer seasons. Where it is necessary to cull outwith existing seasons, there will continue to be the ability to apply to NatureScot for authorisations. In coming to this decision, I have taken careful note of the potential distress caused to many stalkers by being required routinely to shoot heavily pregnant female deer and I have decided against any wider change to the timings of the female close season.

The last Scottish Fishing Safety Group (SFSG) meeting was held on 17 December 2024. There is no date for the next meeting at this time.

The Marine Directorate owns/operates a fleet of three Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs), and two small inshore craft.

• MPV Minna since 2003 (42 metres in length)
• MPV Jura since 2006 (84 metres in length)
• MPV Hirta since 2008 (84 metres in length)
• Small craft Ailsa and Iona since 2022 (7.8 metres in length)

Marine Directorate owns two surveillance aircraft, Reims Cessna Caravan II F-406 (Watchdog Alpha and Watchdog Bravo) since 2008.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/marine-and-fisheries-compliance-fleet-and-aircraft/

Scotland’s Future Catching Policy (FCP) will see concrete action taken to support fishers to avoid catching fish and other species which they don’t want to land, or catch in the first place, including decreasing instances of accidental bycatch of protected marine species.

The FCP proposes to introduce a range of technical and spatial measures, designed in partnership, which will reduce levels of unwanted. This might mean, for example, some types of fishing vessel requiring to use additional selectivity measures as part of their nets, or to move on from certain fishing grounds. The purpose of this is to reduce levels of unwanted catch as far as possible, with discarding rules and exemptions following any measures that are put in place to account for discards that will still occur due to the mixed fishery nature of Scottish waters but will enable us to account for these in a more robust manner increasing accountability and transparency.

By introducing these measures through legislation we are ensuring a level playing field in Scottish waters for all fishers regardless of origin.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with the UK Government on the designation of food and drink products as geographical indications through its status as a constituent member of the UK GI scheme panel.

The operation of the UK GI schemes is reserved and is run by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), where all applications are submitted directly to them for consideration. It is for producers themselves to apply for protection under these schemes, and the Scottish Government seeks to support and promote applications from Scotland.

The final decisions on whether to grant a GI are made by the Secretary of State. However, a panel made up of representatives from Defra and the devolved administrations reviews all applications (including third country applications) and makes a collective decision as to whether they should proceed to the Secretary of State for consideration.

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot

Visits are not recorded by parliamentary region.

Henry Graham.

How public bodies are organised and structured depends on their status, function and the services they deliver. Public bodies determine the best way to structure their organisation to achieve their objectives, taking into consideration their own lines of accountability.

Public bodies do share services including estates, finance, digital and human resource, and the Scottish Government strongly encourages and supports this as part of public service reform programme. Further shared service development is a part of this programme. The Scottish Government is working with bodies in thematic clusters to identify further opportunities for efficiency and alignment, and empowering public bodies to deliver savings by working across the broader public sector.