- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive on what dates the working group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme has met or is expected to meet.
Answer
The working group first met on 10 November 2000. Subsequent meetings were held on 15 December 2000, 23 February 2001 and 3 August 2001. The next meeting was scheduled for 21 August 2001, but because a number of industry representatives found that they could not in fact attend, it has been postponed to the end of August.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive when its analysis of the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme on individuals and on regions within Scotland will be completed and whether this analysis will be published.
Answer
An analysis of payments under the new scheme is being finalised and will be placed with the Parliament's Reference Centre next month.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 30 August 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, if the working group set up to investigate the impact of the less favoured areas support scheme finds that many crofters and farmers have suffered financial loss as a result of the scheme, it will introduce a new scheme.
Answer
Because I was able to negotiate the 90% safety net, any losses under the new scheme have been restricted to within 90% of the previous year's payments. There is no prospect of the EU agreeing to the introduction of a new scheme at this stage.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 24 July 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications were called in by it and the Scottish Office in each of the last five years within the Highland Council area and of these how many were called in on the recommendation of the Trunk Roads Authority.
Answer
The latest available information is given in the table.
| Year | Total No. Called-In | On Roads Grounds |
| 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997 | 5 | 2 |
| 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 | 6 | 6 |
| 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 | 4 | 3 |
| 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000 | 6 | 6 |
| 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001 | 9 | 8 |
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 May 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 10 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out its latest strategic position with regards to sea fisheries matters.
Answer
The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of strategic thinking in order to secure a long-term, sustainable future for the Scottish fishing industry. I launched, this week, a Strategic Framework for the Scottish Sea Fishing Industry. This document, which places sustainable fish stocks at its core, will be used to frame Executive decisions.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 May 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive when the consultation document on the proposed Review of Woodland Grant Scheme/Farm Woodland Premium Scheme will be published and how long the consultation period will be.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 March 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 29 March 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the produce from any genetically modified trial or control sites will be certified as for human or livestock consumption.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 March 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 29 March 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any organic farmers who lose their certification status or customers as a result of pollen contamination from field trials of genetically modified crops will be entitled to compensation and, if so, who will be liable to pay any such compensation.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 March 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 21 March 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting the target of creating a network of learning centres around the country.
Answer
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.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 March 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 14 March 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with the implementation of the Red Tape Review recommendations, particularly in relation to communications with farmers.
Answer
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.
