Seòmar agus comataidhean

I can assure Parliament the Scottish Government fully accepts the principle of animal sentience and will take all appropriate action to safeguard animal welfare standards. Animal sentience has been recognised in Scottish legislation for over a century, most recently in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-09030 on 10 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-09030 on 10 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11940 on 2 November 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11940 on 2 November 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 are the principal instrument transposing the EU Habitats Directive into Scots Law.

Scottish Ministers have no current plans to review or consolidate the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. As part of our preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, we are considering whether any gaps could arise that would need to be addressed to ensure Scotland maintains its high standards of environmental protection. The case for consultation on any ensuing proposals for amendment will be considered at the appropriate time.

The Scottish Government provides secretariat support to both the National Council of Rural Advisers and the Agriculture Champions. The Champions, their working groups and the National Council members do not receive any remuneration for their services other than travel and subsistence expenses. The Scottish Government would like to thank the Champions, it’s working group members and the National Council, for giving up their time so freely to help develop recommendations on future policy.

a) In July 2017 I wrote to over 200 rural stakeholders inviting them to submit views and evidence to the National Council of Rural Advisers. In addition, anyone can contact the National Council via the mailbox ncra@gov.scot. Contact details are published on the National Council of Rural Advisers webpage of the Scottish Government website.

b) Any stakeholder can contact the Agriculture Champions via the mailbox champions-of-agriculture@gov.scot to submit evidence through the secretariat provided by the Scottish Government.

Several stakeholder organisations have already taken the opportunity to submit reports and papers to both the Champions and the National Council.

The National Council of Rural Advisers will provide an interim report on the implications of Brexit before the end of 2017. Their final recommendations report on policy and principles for future rural support will be published in late spring 2018.

To date, two agroforestry applications have been submitted through the Forestry Grant Scheme. Both schemes were subsequently withdrawn and therefore no grant money for agroforestry has been awarded. Efforts continue to engage with the agricultural sector to promote the benefits of agroforestry grants.