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The majority of terrestrial Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Scotland are co-designated with and underpinned by Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Where the release of game birds on an SSSI is potentially damaging, it is listed by NatureScot as an operation requiring consent.

In considering any application for such consent, NatureScot must fulfil the requirements of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations with regard to the assessment of the implications of plans or projects for European sites.

NatureScot has advised that to date, two applications for consent to release game birds on an SPA or SAC have been received. The assessments concluded that there would be no adverse effect on the sites’ integrity.

There are offences of intentional or reckless damage to SSSIs, SPAs and SACs. Scottish Ministers can also make Nature Conservation Orders to prohibit the carrying out of operations on or near these sites for the purposes of conserving any natural feature for which such land is designated, or is otherwise considered by the Scottish Ministers to be of special interest.

At present there is little evidence to show that gamebirds are causing damage to protected areas in Scotland, however NatureScot will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Gamebird releases within European protected sites are controlled through the Operations Requiring Consent (ORC) list. This means that land managers need to apply to NatureScot for consent to release gamebirds within the boundaries of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), where this may have an impact on the special features of nature conservation interest on the site. If the SSSI overlaps with a Natura site (which can be either a Special Protection Area or a Special Area of Conservation), NatureScot must carry out a Habitats Regulations Appraisal before consent can be given.

NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring Programme measures the health of the notified features across all of Scotland’s protected areas, including European sites. The Programme also identifies underlying causes for unfavourable condition of features in order to inform management actions. Gamebirds are mentioned in around 0.2% of these assessments and gamebird releases have not been identified as the cause of any features on protected sites being in unfavourable condition.

The Scottish Government is developing policy to deliver our manifesto commitment to ban the sale of peat related gardening products, and is already working with the horticulture industry to understand the challenges for transition to alternative growing media.

As stated in the answer to question S5W-34151 on 13 January 2021, work on establishing the taskforce was paused because of the need to focus on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other priorities, including EU exit. However, we expect the taskforce to be established later this year and will provide further details in due course.

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

Responsibility for qualifications development sits with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Existing Environmental Science qualifications (available at National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher) draw from the sciences and social sciences and take a problem-solving approach to attempt to develop solutions that prevent or reverse environmental deterioration and aim for sustainable practices.

As part of the Learning for Sustainability Action Plan, SQA will consider the contribution Learning for Sustainability can make to new or revised qualifications, and will work with stakeholders to provide recognition, signposting or accreditation.

Industry has made good progress towards implementing Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), including the establishment of Circularity Scotland Ltd and its approval by Ministers as a scheme administrator.

Nevertheless, we recognise the unique and significant pressures that COVID-19 has placed on relevant sectors over the past year. That is why we have commissioned an independent Gateway Review into the go-live date for DRS.

The information requested is not held centrally. Aggregate CAMHS waiting times statistics are published by Public Health Scotland every quarter and report on waiting times from referral to first treatment appointment. Health Boards have just been allocated £4.25 million for 2021-22 from the £120m Recovery and Renewal Fund to clear CAMHS backlogs. Those Boards with the longest waits are also receiving enhanced improvement support to deliver local recovery plans by mid- June.

The Scottish government will of course stay in close contact on any consideration of animal welfare labelling both by the UK government and the European Union.

The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to the use of animals in scientific procedures which is a matter reserved to the UK Government.

Face to face appointments for CAMHS autism assessments can take place under all levels of COVID-19 protection, subject to clinical need and adherence to Covid-safe practices.