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There are no delays with the implementation of Scotland’s mandatory remote electronic monitoring requirements for fishing vessels. The scallop requirements are in force, and the pelagic requirements are due to come into force as planned on 7 March 2026.

Under existing legislation fishing vessels are required to record and land all quota species of fish unless subject to a permitted exemption. Our Future Catching Policy is intended to improve on the current requirements and we will be consulting on relevant improvements to technical standards later this year. Fishing vessels are subject to a wide range of rules and regulations which support them to fish responsibly and sustainably and which help to safeguard Scotland’s reputation in the international marketplace.

Where a confiscation order has been made by the court, payment of the order is supervised by the Court which imposed it.

The answer to question S6W-37894 referred to a range of economic and environmental benefits that the Scottish Government believes can be delivered through the use of precision agriculture. These are understood to include the reduction of nitrous oxide emissions through more targeted use of fertiliser. An example of this in practice can be found on the website of the SG funded Farm Advisory Service at Optimise your Nutrient Management with Precision Manure Spreading Technology | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Where payment is not made within the time permitted by the Court the case will be brought back before the Court at which time further enforcement to recover the outstanding balance will be considered. That may include, for example, the appointment of an administrator who will undertake the ingathering and management of realisable property.

Recovered monies from confiscation orders are remitted to the Scottish Consolidated Fund which goes towards the Cashback for Communities Programme.

The Scottish Government has committed £156m to the Programme since 2008, which supports young people at risk of entering the criminal justice system and the communities most affected by crime through various projects, including youth work, employability support, creative arts, and sports projects.

The Programme prioritises young people living in the bottom 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) or with protected characteristics which may increase risk of being drawn into anti-social or offending behaviour.

Data regarding confiscation orders is held by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). SCTS publish the Courts Data Scotland bulletin on a quarterly basis, which provides national level information on confiscation order penalties currently going back to 2020-21. The latest publication can be found at https://scotcourts.gov.uk/media/puudlhmh/courts-data-scotland-fines-edition-64-workbook.xlsx

When a confiscation order is made, payment of the order is supervised by the court. Where payment is not made within the time specified by the court, further action to recover the outstanding balance can be taken by the courts.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) publish the Courts Data Scotland bulletin on a quarterly basis, which provides national level information on confiscation order penalties.

The Scottish Government has already provided reassurances to independent hospices that the funding will be allocated as soon as practically possible, based on the analysis of financial data provided by the hospices.

The Scottish budget for 2025-26 includes £5 million of investment to support independent hospices to provide pay parity with NHS levels. This figure is based on estimates provided by independent hospices. Officials are working with a variety of colleagues across the health directorates to explore mechanisms for providing this funding to hospices, while respecting existing commissioning arrangements with Integration Joint Boards (IJBs).