Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-33367

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the priority to "continue beyond the public sector and engage with private estates and owner occupiers in Scotland to explore further new entrant opportunities" as set out by the permanent members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group for 2024-25 has been achieved and, if so, by what method.

Yes. All FONE group members have the responsibility to report opportunities for new entrants. This includes the Scottish Land Matching Service (SLMS), which actively engages with public and private estates to explore what land opportunities they have available. 35 matches have been formalised through the SLMS and they are actively working with 263 individuals on further joint-ventures, including those on private and publicly owned land.

In December 2024, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity wrote to every Scottish Council leader and Chief Executive asking for their support to consider what land opportunities they can offer agricultural new entrants with the view to engage with each of them directly further.

Question reference: S6W-33363

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Islands and Land Reform and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met the Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group.

Question reference: S6W-33371

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the priority to "work with stakeholders to develop a consistent narrative of what is possible in terms of making best use of crofts and attracting new entrants" as set out by the council members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group for 2024-25 has been achieved and, if so, by what method.

Question reference: S6W-33369

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the priority to "advocate the importance and prominence of new entrants in the sector [including] ensuring new entrants’ and the next generations’ interests are represented in future governmental and non-governmental policy" as set out by the council members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group for 2024-25 has been achieved and, if so, by what method.

The FONE is a collaborative group dedicated to supporting agricultural new entrants and the next generation of Scottish farmers and crofters. Each of the members looks to ensure that their organisation is giving due consideration to new entrant opportunities and further support they can provide.

The group’s success can be evidenced by the 8,272 hectares of land that have been made available to new entrants since 2016. This represents a combined effort from public bodies to maximise new entrant opportunities on public land.

Question reference: S6W-33820

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the current balance is of the Victim Surcharge Fund.

Question reference: S6W-33366

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the priority to "identify and make available 600 hectares of publicly owned land in Scotland to new entrants" as set out by the permanent members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group for 2024-25 has been achieved and, if so, by what method.

Question reference: S6W-33372

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the priority to "highlight promotional material to include guidance, support, case studies, and signposting for new entrants and the next generation" as set out by the council members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group for 2024-25 has been achieved and, if so, by what method.

Yes. The FONE group meets on a quarterly basis and members are routinely provided the opportunity to share what promotional material, including guidance, support, case studies and signposting for new entrants and the next generation is being offered. Additionally, agricultural opportunities are regularly signposted on the individual stakeholders’ websites, such as:

New Entrants resources for farmers from Farm Advisory Service

Inspirational Stories | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service

Farmers sign up | Scottish Land Matching Service

Question reference: S6W-33365

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has finalised the list of the (a) permanent and (b) council members of its Farming Opportunities for New Entrants (FONE) group, and, if so, who they are.

Permanent FONE Group Membership

Organisation

National Farmers Union Scotland

Scottish Land & Estates

Scottish Land Matching Service

Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs

James Hutton Institute

Scottish Government, New Entrant Policy

Council FONE Group Membership

Organisation

Farm Advisory Service

Forestry & Land Scotland

Land Workers Alliance

Scottish Government, Scottish Ministers Estates

Scottish Government, Crofting Policy

Crofting Commission

Lantra Scotland

Scottish Water

Scottish Land Commission

Crown Estate Scotland

Question reference: S6W-33786

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the rural economy in Scotland of the UK Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2025, which comes into effect on 5 February 2025.

Whilst Firearms fees is a reserved matter, the Scottish Government is supportive of this recent increase in contributing towards full cost recovery for Firearms Licensing in Scotland. Police Scotland and stakeholders representing Scottish certificate holders were engaged in the 2022 consultation on the Firearms Fee review.

This is the first increase in Firearms Licensing Fees since 2015 and although these increases will cost those in rural communities more than urban areas due to the nature of rural life in Scotland, the impact on the rural economy is still uncertain. I understand the UK Government have committed to reviewing the licensing fees annually with comprehensive reviews every 3 years. These reviews will involve the Fees Working Group which consists of key stakeholders such as Police Scotland and shooting organisations representing Scottish interests.

I would suggest if people or organisations have concerns, these should be raised at the UKG Fees Working Group, to ensure the voices of all those affected are heard.

Question reference: S6W-33932

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 January 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence listed in the Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 in each year since 2021.

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