Seòmar agus comataidhean

I am launching today a wide-ranging consultation paper on future support for forestry in Scotland. Interested organisations and individuals will have until 30 September 2001 to respond.

It is a condition of the deliberate release consent that the entire GM crop is destroyed and does not enter the human or animal food chain. The proportion of the control crop growing within the stipulated separation distance is also destroyed at the same time.

The Scottish Executive's priority is to protect human health and the environment.The environmental implications of field trials of genetically modified crops are fully considered by our expert advisory bodies before consent is granted. These bodies are satisfied that there are no safety or scientific reasons why this programme should have an adverse effect on organic farming. Additionally, the separation distance which is imposed around trial sites should ensure that any cross-pollination with organic crops which does take place will be negligible and should not affect the organic status of these crops. The question of de-certification is a matter for the organic certification authorities.There are currently no provisions in Scots or UK law covering liability for damage caused specifically by genetically modified organisms. However, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, there are powers to prosecute a consent holder where the limitations and conditions attached to the consent are breached. Compensation would be a matter for the civil courts in determining an ordinary action brought by the affected farmer for negligent harm done to him or his business or for nuisance.

Scottish University for Industry Ltd was charged by the Executive to develop a national network of 300 learndirect scotland branded learning centres by 31 March 2002. It has achieved its target a month ahead of schedule and there are now 301 branded learning centres located across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Good progress has been made on the Red Tape Review recommendations. I have today issued an external communications strategy which responds to a major recommendation of the Red Tape Review Report. This covers all aspects of communications between SERAD and producers, including the future introduction of electronic systems for claiming subsidies. It sets out actions for the future with targets for delivery. Progress reports will issue every six months.Also published today is a report of the SERAD commissioned research into the burdens of form filling on small-scale producers - fulfilling a further recommendation of the Red Tape Review Report. This research, carried out by George Street Research Ltd, highlights the central importance of IACS subsidies to producers and identifies a number of improvements which can be made to communications with producers.A table is also published today showing the latest position on implementation of the Red Tape Panel recommendations. All the main recommendations have now been implemented or are in process of implementation. The remaining recommendations - which mainly require changes to EU legislation - are also being actively pursued.Copies of the external communications strategy and of the updated Red Tape Report implementation table are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. A copy of the George Street Research Report is available on the SE website.

A consultation paper on proposals for the Ythan Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) action programme will be released today. Arrangements have been made for copies to go directly to farmers in the Ythan NVZ.We must tackle the problem of excess nitrate lost from agriculture. It can affect the quality of our drinking water supplies and presents a risk to the ecological balance in rivers and the sea. Many farmers recognise the need to adopt sustainable practices which do not lead to environmental problems, but under European law all farmers in areas vulnerable to nitrate pollution are required to take action to deal with this type of diffuse pollution.The Action Programme measures we propose for the Ythan NVZ would require farmers to control the timing and rate of applications of nitrogen fertiliser and manures. These measures take into account environmental conditions within the catchment and the latest scientific and technical information.It is important that farmers understand the rules and what they need to do to comply with them and we will provide help in the form of guidance booklets in order to assist farmers in this process.

The policy priorities and programme for government of the Scottish Executive are encapsulated in Working together for Scotland - a Programme for Government, published today. It sets out what the Executive has done, and what we will do in the future to build a modern, prosperous and socially just Scotland. It also reports on progress and achievements against the commitments we set out in the first programme for government, Making it work together, published in September 1999. A copy of Working together for Scotland - a Programme for Government is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 10911). Additional copies are available in the Document Supply Centre.

In the last financial year, spending on support exclusively or mainly for crofters amounted to just over £7.2 million. In addition, crofters received a share of almost £95 million spent in support of agricultural activity in the Highlands and Islands.

From 1 January 1999 all British registered fishing vessels over 10 metres catching more than two tonnes of quota stocks have had to demonstrate an economic link with fisheries dependent communities in the United Kingdom. This link can be demonstrated in a number of ways, for example, by vessels landing at least 50% by weight of their quota catch into the UK or by employing a crew of whom at least 50% are normally resident in a UK coastal area.

In the first year of operation over 1,750 vessels in the over 10 metre fleet caught more than two tonnes of quota stocks and in almost every case achieved a satisfactory economic link, primarily through landings into the UK. Where a small number have failed to make the full link in 1999 they will be expected to make this up in 2000 and future years. The new arrangements have resulted in a significant increase both in the volume of landings made by foreign owned UK flagged vessels and in local expenditure on goods and services in the UK. They have also led to over 300 tonnes of additional quota being made available to fishermen in the under 10 metre fleet and non-sector.

A full report by the Fisheries Departments in the United Kingdom on the operation of the economic link measures and their impact in 1999 has been placed in SPICe.

Robust grievance and disciplinary procedures are in place to address the question of bullying in the Scottish Executive.