Seòmar agus comataidhean

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

SEPA investigates when pollution occurs at any of the 83 designated bathing waters in the bathing water season. The failure at Heads of Ayr appears to have been due to agricultural pollutants, such as livestock manure or slurry, that were mobilised by heavy rainfall; further tests are being carried out to determine the bacterial source. At Stonehaven the failure was primarily due to a problem in the sewerage system; this has now been remedied by Scottish Water and this should ensure compliance with the European standard in future years.

The Scottish Government requires SEPA at the end of each season to review the performance and progress of all bathing waters and ensure that specific improvement plans and pollution control measures are being implemented. We also continue to work with stakeholders, through Scotland’s Diffuse Pollution plan, on the pressures from rural diffuse sources, and with Scottish Water, which is carrying out studies at bathing waters where there is a risk of impact from waste water treatment works.

Unfortunately, discussions between the European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki and the Icelandic, Norwegian and Faroes Fisheries Ministers on the 3 September failed to secure agreement on mackerel quota sharing. Given this outcome we are seeking to convene a meeting, to include the main retailers in Scotland and the fishing industry, as soon as possible this autumn and hope to do so within the next month.

The London School of Economics in association with the University of St Andrews is conducting the independent evaluation of the pilot health board elections. Their report is due to be completed and laid before the Parliament during the autumn of 2012.

In view of the discussions on the mackerel situation which took place yesterday, 3 September, between European Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki and the Icelandic and Norwegian Fisheries Ministers, arrangements for the meeting with retailers have not been finalised. A decision on arrangements for the meeting will be made as soon as we know the outcome of yesterday’s talks.

The Scottish Government has established regular contact with retailers on several issues, and I have personally raised my concerns over the sourcing of seafood on many occasions. I have urged retailers to be aware of the behaviour of Faroes and Iceland in relation to the mackerel stock.

Earlier this year I met with Sainsbury's to discuss the particular issue of the loss of the Marine Stewardship Council certificate, and my officials have kept in regular contact with them as the situation progresses. I have also taken the decision to organise a meeting with the supermarkets later this summer. The meeting will be hosted jointly by the Scottish Government and industry, and will be facilitated by Seafood Scotland. I hope that the meeting will help us to find a way forward to ensure that the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK have the opportunity to continue to buy Scottish mackerel.