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The Scottish Government is awaiting the completion of the UK consultation process before finalising its own thermal generation guidance to ensure that the regulatory framework in broad terms is similar across the UK as a whole, with the overall objective of encouraging CCS deployment and the objective of decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2030. The UK consultation invited respondents with a particular interest in Scottish Government policy to copy their responses to Scottish ministers.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0917-01.htm

The Scottish Government commissions a programme of veterinary surveillance from the Scottish Agricultural College who hold responsibility for distributing the budget appropriately between veterinary investigation centres across Scotland. The veterinary surveillance element of the support provided to SAC Veterinary Services is just over £3 million in the current financial year.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26872 on 16 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The proposal for an effort only system is part of a wide range of changes to fisheries policies within the European Commission''s Green Paper on Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. We are discussing these matters with stakeholders in a series of bilateral meetings and wider stakeholder workshops. These discussions will help us develop a Scottish Government response to the European Commission''s consultation on CFP reform, including the proposal for an effort-only system. The consultation closes at the end of 2009.

We are working closely with the UK Government to develop a UK position. Officials have also met counterparts from the Commission and other member states to explore Green Paper proposals for the future management of EU fisheries.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26871 on 16 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

No. A meeting for this specific purpose would be premature whilst the Scottish Government is consulting stakeholders on the Commission''s green paper.

The proposal to replace quotas for certain fish stocks and replace them with an annual allowance of days at sea was first raised in the European Commission''s green paper on Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Commissioner Borg again raised the proposal in a recent address to the European Parliament Fisheries Committee.

The proposal would mean a radical shift in the way that fisheries are managed. An effort-only system might help to reduce discarding of fish, but would also require supporting technical conservation measures.

In formulating its response to the European Commission''s green paper on CFP reform the Scottish Government will consider the relative merits of different forms of fisheries management, including their likely impact on the operations of the fishing fleet and on the conservation of fish stocks.

The government supports the decision taken by the EU in 2004 to remove all subsidies linked to the cultivation of tobacco from 2010.

As set out in the Government Economic Strategy we are focussed on giving greater priority to achieving more balanced growth across Scotland, in order to reduce regional disparities. As part of this we are ensuring a more strategic approach to the growth of Scotland''s cities, towns and rural areas across transport, planning, housing and economic development.

Our actions include: working to help address demographic challenges; taking forward the Climate Change agenda; introducing the Scotland Rural Development Programme; implementing the national developments and spatial strategy set out in the second National Planning Framework and delivering planning reform; implementing Scotland''s biodiversity strategy; working to improve access and participation in cultural activities, and we will shortly be publishing a consultation on the Energy Efficiency Action Plan. We are also focusing government and the wider public sector around our national outcomes, including those on the environmental impacts of consumption and production; the built and natural environment, and realising our full economic potential.