Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-15202

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its preferred method is for managing the interaction of beaver and high-density deer populations in riparian woodland areas.

There is no preferred method of managing the interaction of beaver and deer populations in riparian woodland areas and all available tools should be utilised.

It is the Scottish Government’s intention to ensure that high-density deer populations, where they exist, are managed through the delivery of ‘Scotland’s Wild Deer: A National Approach’ (WDNA). The WDNA and close working between Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage will seek to ensure, insofar as is possible, that biodiversity and other public benefits from the presence of beavers in relation to valuable riparian woodland are realised.

Question reference: S5W-15200

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to identify instances of localised damage to beech trees by beavers.

The Scottish Government does not take action specifically to identify instances of localised damage to beech trees by beavers.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) offers a free advisory service to landowners who have questions about the activities of beavers on their land and this includes advice on beavers damaging trees. SNH does not specifically record the species of tree involved, although this information may be recorded as part of the general description of findings and advice.

Information about actions that may be taken by landowners to protect individual trees against damage by beavers is provided on the SNH website: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/safeguarding-protected-areas-and-species/protected-species/protected-species-z-guide/protected-species-beaver/interim-beaver .

Question reference: S5W-15201

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made or plans of the impact of beavers on the Atlantic salmon population.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commissioned two detailed reviews of the interactions between beavers and fish species, undertaken by the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory in 1997 and the University of Southampton in 2010. These reviews informed the work of the Beaver-Salmonid Working Group (BSWG) which was established in 2009 (as a sub-group of the National Species Reintroduction Forum) to consider the potential impacts of beaver activity on salmonids (Atlantic salmon and brown trout).

The BSWG reported in 2015. The findings of the report were included in SNH’s 2015 ‘Beavers in Scotland’ report to the Scottish Government, which contained sections on beaver interactions with fish (including salmonids) and fisheries.

A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) was carried out in 2017, following the decision on the future of beavers in Scotland announced by the Scottish Government in November 2016. The HRA involves assessments of the expected impacts of beavers on Natura sites, including those with Atlantic salmon as a qualifying feature.

It is anticipated that future research will look at further negative and positive beaver-salmonid interactions (including for Atlantic salmon), to help further refine monitoring methods and management guidance. SNH is currently investigating, with the University of Exeter, whether modelling tools can help identify river stretches where damming is most likely. This could be linked to salmon presence to help target future management.

Question reference: S5W-14706

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the proposed ban on electric shock collars for dogs will be introduced as guidance and not through secondary legislation; what the legal status of this guidance will be, and how it will be enforced.

The Scottish Government had previously intended to only allow the use of electronic training collars under the supervision of properly qualified dog trainers. As laid out to Parliament on 25 January 2018, the continuing concerns expressed about that proposed approach led to the proposal being reviewed. That is why it was decided not to pursue the initial plan and officials were instead asked to prepare clear Scottish Government guidance emphasising that any physical punishment of dogs that causes unnecessary suffering is not acceptable in Scotland and may be an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This includes the use of electronic collars that administer an electric shock, anti-bark collars and any device that squirts noxious oils or other chemicals or substances into a dog’s face.

In contrast to secondary legislation under section 26 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, we believe it is more appropriate to issue guidance under section 38 of the 2006 Act on the use of electronic collars and similar devices as this can be done quickly.

The guidance will provide an advisory aid to those involved in the enforcement of animal welfare legislation. Those persons may refer to the guidance when issuing advice, warning letters or care notices under the 2006 Act or when presenting evidence for potential prosecutions under section 24 or section 19 of the 2006 Act.

Question reference: S5W-14707

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what devices will be covered by the proposed ban on electric shock collars for dogs.

The draft guidance issued under section 38 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006) is intended to cover the use of any training devices that administer unpleasant stimuli or physical punishment. This may include the use of electronic collars that administer an electric shock; anti-bark collars, which may mask or aggravate underlying behavioural or health issues; and any device that squirts noxious oils or other chemicals that interfere with a dog’s acute sense of smell. The content of the guidance will remain under review.

Question reference: S5W-14708

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 23 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed ban on electric shock collars for dogs will be extended to apply to other animals and, if so, which.

Question reference: S5W-15197

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Friday, 09 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-14916 by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 March 2018, what information it has regarding how many plastic straws there are in terms of (a) weight and (b) volume.

Question reference: S5W-15229

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 21 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential impact on public trust in the planning process of connecting newly-built homes at Maidenhill in East Renfrewshire to the sewer network before flooding and discharge mitigation work commences.

Responsibility for dealing with planning matters is primarily for the local planning authority and it would be inappropriate for Scottish Government to comment on the details of individual cases.

Improving public trust in planning is a vital element of our proposals for reviewing the planning system. The reforms we are taking forward will strengthen the arrangements for development planning to ensure development is deliverable and the appropriate infrastructure is in place.

Question reference: S5W-15046

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 16 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the waste disposal bill to farmers will be as a result of the decision to remove the exemption for drum incinerators to dispose of farm plastics.

Question reference: S5W-15044

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 14 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that smaller rural communities are not disadvantaged in accessing energy efficiency programmes due to settlements of up to 10,000 homes being categorised as rural.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15039 on 14 March 2018 . Our delivery projects aim is to ensure that everyone in fuel poverty gets support, no matter whether they live in urban or rural Scotland. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

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