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Employment law is currently reserved to the UK Government. Universities are autonomous institutions that set terms and conditions for their own staff. However, the Scottish Government welcomes the announcement on 6 September 2013 that the University of Edinburgh has agreed to review its use of zero hours contracts. We commend this approach and urge employers in all sectors who employ staff on zero hours contracts to consider carefully their use of such contracts.

The Scottish Government is required to ensure EU Law, which places responsibilities for cattle identification and tracing on all keepers, is met. This is vital in terms of disease control and public health. The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) administer the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) on behalf of Ministers in Scotland, England and Wales.

There are various circumstances which mean an animal may be considered for destruction if its identification and traceability cannot be proved, which could be in relation to passport issues. BCMS deal with these on case by case basis with input from a number of professional bodies. Where a cattle keeper cannot prove an animal’s identity then the animal may be destroyed after a thorough assessment of the animal health and food safety risks posed by allowing the animal to live. However, in most cases animals will be registered on CTS and restricted to holding. These animals can be bred from but are not allowed to enter the food chain.

To date there have been no cases that have required the Scottish Government to authorise the compulsory destruction of cattle in Scotland.

The Scottish Government does not record this information but industry sources (Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation) suggest that Norwegian-owned companies are responsible for around 66 per cent of farmed salmon production in Scotland.

The Scottish Government position on CCTV is currently under review. The issuing of guidance on the voluntary use of CCTV in abattoirs is one of a range of possible options being considered.

CCTV is already installed in many abattoirs voluntarily and welfare at slaughter in abattoirs is monitored by FSA Official Veterinarians. Before taking any action with regard to CCTV we would need to be satisfied that it would be a proportionate and effective additional measure to improve animal welfare.

We are continuing to collect information from a number of sources. Once a clear picture has been reached, we will decide what further action is appropriate.

Scotland Excel is independent of Scottish Government. It was established by local government following the 2006 McClelland Report to act as the Centre of Procurement Expertise for the sector.

Scotland Excel participates in Scotland’s Public Procurement Reform Programme and work actively towards its common goals including improving suppliers access to public contracts.

Reporting from data held on Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) does not enable us to provide information on an organisation or sector specific basis, but does provide information for all public sector bodies using PCS.

Of the businesses winning contracts through PCS last calendar year:

82% were registered as SMEs;

80% were registered with a Scottish address; and,

68% were registered as being both Scottish and SMEs.

Scotland Excel is independent of Scottish Government. It was established by local government following the 2006 McClelland Report to act as the Centre of Procurement Expertise for the sector.

Figures for contracts from Scotland Excel for supplying educational goods in the last year are not available from Scottish Government systems. Details of contracts let by Scotland Excel can be found on their website.

Scotland Excel participates in Scotland’s Public Procurement Reform Programme and actively work towards its common goals including improving suppliers access to public contracts.

The Scottish Government position on CCTV is currently under review. The issuing of a statutory code to regulate the voluntary use of CCTV in abattoirs is one of a range of possible options being considered.

CCTV is already installed in many abattoirs voluntarily and welfare at slaughter in abattoirs is monitored by FSA Official Veterinarians. Before taking any action with regard to CCTV we would need to be satisfied that it would be a proportionate and effective additional measure to improve animal welfare.

We are continuing to collect information from a number of sources. Once a clear picture has been reached, we will decide what further action is appropriate.

The Scottish Government position on CCTV is currently under review. Legislating to make the use of CCTV mandatory in abattoirs is one of a range of possible options being considered.

CCTV is already installed in many abattoirs voluntarily and welfare at slaughter in abattoirs is monitored by FSA Official Veterinarians. Before taking any action with regard to CCTV we would need to be satisfied that it would be a proportionate and effective additional measure to improve animal welfare.

We are continuing to collect information from a number of sources. Once a clear picture has been reached, we will decide what further action is appropriate.

Information on the importation of bumblebees into Scotland is not held centrally, however recent changes to recording systems may allow us to gather this information in the future.

All beekeepers, both commercial and hobbyists are encouraged to control and manage their bees effectively through having a good knowledge of biosecurity, hygiene and the ability to recognise disease.

The Scottish Government has had recent discussions on the issue of internet pet sales with a variety of our stakeholders, including the Scottish SPCA, OneKind, Dog's Trust, the Kennel Club, Cats Protection and other members of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group.

It is clear from those discussions that there is a need for a better public understanding of the risks involved in purchasing pets online.

We strongly support the work of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, in particular their minimum standards for online advertising of animals for sale that have recently been launched, and will continue to explore ways to help promote these standards to the public and to advertising websites.