Seòmar agus comataidhean

With regard to question a), the industry estimate that around 80% of venison sold is sourced from the annual deer cull.

With regard to b), the industry estimate that around 15-20,000 carcases are imported from New Zealand. This can be difficult to quantify because parts of carcasses are purchased rather than the whole.

With regard to c), we do not have figures on what proportion of venison sold comes from sources other than the annual deer cull or imports. However, there are around 15,000 farmed deer in Scotland (2023 figures).

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has never sold venison directly to public sector organisations.

FLS does not have the facilities to process venison into meat products for the human food chain. Instead, FLS supplies chilled carcasses to its commercial partners, primarily Highland Game of Dundee and Ardgay Game of Bonar Bridge who are accredited venison processors.

In May 2024, the Scottish Government issued a request for proposals for a supplier to support the delivery of the Scottish Peace Programme, including establishment of a Scottish Peace Platform and the 1325 Women in Conflict Fellowships. In developing a Peace platform the Scottish Government will be able to better assess the potential for further investment in a Peace institute, in line with the full recommendations of the research report on establishing a Peace Institute. More information is published on the Scottish Government website.

There are no plans at this time for the Scottish Peace Platform to focus on peacebuilding initiatives in Columbia specifically. However we have hosted nine peacebuilders from Colombia on the Women in Conflict Fellowship and the Scottish Human Rights Defenders programmes.

Fisheries management measures for offshore MPAs were subject to public consultation, which ran from 19 August to 14 October 2024. The responses are currently being analysed, and final measures will be implemented in 2025.

Ensuring that we develop evidence-based and effective fisheries management measures for the large number of inshore sites is a complex and challenging process. Fisheries management measures for inshore MPAs and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) are currently going through a Sustainability Appraisal, and other statutory impact assessments are being undertaken in preparation for the inshore consultation. The consultation will be undertaken in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government. Final fisheries management measures will then be implemented as soon as possible once the consultation responses have been analysed and a final decision on the measures taken.

Three Marine Planning Partnerships (MPPs) have been established covering the Shetland, Clyde and Orkney marine regions, and are at various stages of progressing with their Regional Marine Plans.

The draft plans for Shetland and Orkney have concluded their public consultations and are making progress towards being submitted to Scottish Ministers for consideration, approval and adoption. The draft Clyde Regional Marine Plan is currently in the process of a policy update ahead of identifying a suitable period for a public consultation.

Officials will continue to work constructively with each MPP to refine and develop their plans to be suitable for adoption by Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government published the formal response to the final report of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee Inquiry into Regional Marine Planning in Scotland in August 2023.

As part of this response, the Scottish Government has provided a clear approach to regional marine planning moving forward, with the position that no further MPPs should be established until after the adoption of the updated National Marine Plan (NMP2). This is with the exception of the Western Isles, where early work on developing an MPP had already commenced.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22894 on 27 November 2023.

The National Marine Plan (NMP2) will inform if, where, when and how development takes place and provide guidance on reaching those decisions.

The regulation and management of activities are covered by sector specific regulations outside of planning. Fisheries management measures form part of our ecosystem-based management but are not a national or regional marine planning matter.

We have a live call for evidence under our Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement (IFMI) Programme, which closes on 04 February 2025. This seeks expert input to help us transition to a more agile management model and enable a regional approach.

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 Scottish Parliament has a flag flying policy in place which sets out the circumstances of when flags will be flown. A copy of the policy can be found here. The circumstances in which the flying of flags is appropriate are very carefully set out, as it is essential that the Parliament maintains its impartiality. There are no plans in place to fly the flag of Palestine on 29 November 2024.

According to our records, we have not previously flown the flag of Palestine on 29 November to mark International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

SEPA, along with other environment bodies, plays a pivotal role in protecting and maintaining a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for the people of Scotland. This is achieved through funding from Scottish Government alongside SEPA’s regulatory activities funded by cost recovery under the principle of polluter pays.

Since 2014-15 SEPA’s budget has increased. Even accounting for inflation, they are receiving an additional £3 million in 2024-25 than in 2014-15.

The budget settlement for 2024-25 announced on 19 December recognises the increasing level and quality of work being delivered by SEPA which is why despite such challenging financial circumstances, the organisation will benefit from a 5% uplift on the 23/24 budget allocation to its core funding, bringing its core budget to £52.6m in 2024-25.

More information on the budget announcement can be found here: Scottish Budget: 2024 to 2025 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Nonetheless, the Scottish Government continue to work with all public bodies to drive out efficiencies, finding new and better ways of working, creating best value for the Scottish taxpayer. In the case of SEPA, the Scottish Government work with them on the development of corporate and annual operating plans and Ministers meet regularly to discuss progress. This assessment process is therefore continual and SEPA is ultimately accountable to the Scottish Parliament.