Seòmar agus comataidhean

Chalara fraxinea fungus was first identified in England in February 2012 and confirmed in March 2012 and the first signs of the disease were picked up in Scotland on 9 July 2012. Between March and the beginning of July, Forestry Commission Scotland undertook awareness raising work with staff and stakeholders to increase vigilance and to encourage the reporting of any potential tree health issues. Scottish Government horticultural inspectors have also been checking ash trees during plant inspections at Scottish nurseries and garden centres since May and in established gardens as part of the wider plant health inspection programme.

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.