Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

I am pleased to announce that following very helpful and constructive discussions between officials and the industry, and as part of a UK-wide initiative, we propose to introduce two key measures to promote the safety at sea of fishermen and fishing vessels.

There is a key need to improve the safety culture within the industry. We need to make sure every fisherman is aware of safety issues and the risks involved in what is an inherently dangerous occupation. We therefore propose to make available up to £0.5 million in each of the next three financial years to promote the delivery of safety training for fishermen in Scotland.

That will include courses to update safety awareness; training in accident prevention and risk assessment, and safety training for new entrants to the industry. Discussions about course development and delivery are already underway and consultation on the detail of implementation will continue. Delivery will be via the Sea Fish Industry Authority and is planned to commence from 1 April next year.

We also propose to make available grant funding, of up to 40% of project costs, to support trials and testing of innovative or experimental equipment designed to help prevent accidents and improve safety at sea. Funding under that scheme will be made available as soon as possible around the end of this year.

I am grateful to the industry representatives and others who have contributed to the development of these proposals. In particular, this initiative was driven forward with great enthusiasm by my predecessor, John Home Robertson. I share his determination to build a safety culture and I hope these measures will be welcomed and that fishermen will take advantage of the opportunities they offer. We have a common interest in improving safety. I believe these measures will contribute significantly towards that.

The Scottish Ministers have issued a letter today announcing their decision. A copy has been sent to all the parties who attended the public local inquiry into this proposal. A copy has also been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

As part of the most recent review of inshore fishing prohibitions under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984, the Scottish Executive received a large volume of representations from creel and trawl interests in the Loch Torridon area.

The latest scientific work carried out by Fisheries Research Services indicates that nephrops stocks in the Torridon area are reasonably healthy and a mixed gear fishery appears to be sustainable.

The Executive has maintained that any change to the existing closures would be best decided by local dialogue and agreement. The two groups have worked up proposals which are broadly acceptable to the Executive and which we consider offer the best opportunity for progress in the area.

We have therefore decided to implement the following measures to be monitored by Fisheries Research Services subject to review after five years in operation:

An all-year closure to mobile gear fishing in the area between Red Point, including Loch Torridon, and the south end of the BUTEC Range in the Inner Sound;

Remainder of area to retain existing seasonal closure to mobile gear vessels;

No multiple gear to be used in existing closure area;

Demersal trawlers fishing the area limited to under 12 metres registered length;

Consideration to be given to a creel-free zone in area to enable parallel trials with trawl-free area.

We will also give further consideration to the case for HIFA to be represented in the Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group (SIFAG). This would require consultation with SIFAG members.

We aim to include measures related to the proposed closures in the forthcoming inshore fishing Order. The creel-free measure will be subject to discussion between creel and trawl interests, FRS and the department.

I hope this will promote better relationships between all fishing interests in the area. I also welcome the additional voluntary measures which creeling interests in Loch Torridon are promoting.

Training for young people with support needs is delivered by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise through their network of local companies and the Skillseekers programme. There are a range of training providers which offer supportive training for disadvantaged school leavers.

The Beattie Committee examined post-school provision for young people with additional support needs. The Scottish Executive has established a National Action Group chaired by Nicol Stephen to implement action in response to the Beattie Report.

Scottish Enterprise together with other agencies are developing post-school provision for disadvantaged young people.

The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 allows National Park authorities to appoint staff. This is likely to include rangers.The proposals for a National Park in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and in the Cairngorms, published recently for consultation, seek views on rangers, and whether any additional powers are needed in the designation orders to enable the provision of effective ranger services.