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Scottish Government officials have discussed, and corresponded on, an increase to the penalties for animal cruelty offences and other potential amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 with a number of animal welfare organisations, including the Scottish SPCA, and a number of representatives from Scottish local authorities.

The Scottish Parliament was informed, in response to S5W-16095 on 1 May 2018, the Scottish Government will introduce the legislation when the most suitable legislative vehicle has been identified and it will come into force on approval by the Scottish Parliament.

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 .

No child should be going hungry, that is why the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, published in March, sets out action to achieve our ambition to end child poverty. Within the range of actions to increase household incomes and reduce costs, we have included actions to improve children’s lives in the short term.

We have committed to new practical support for children experiencing food insecurity during school holidays, backed by funding of £1 million over the next two years. This is in addition to our £20 million Empowering Communities Fund and £1 million Fair Food Fund that support community organisations, many of which help families to access food throughout the year. Some of these projects focus on food and activity programmes during school holiday periods.

Our £750 million Attainment Challenge Fund provides additional funding for schools and local authorities to support children and young people most in need. That support can also be accessed to help deliver meals and activities during school holiday periods.

The Scottish Government fully supports all steps taken to protect sheep from out of control dogs. The consequences of sheep worrying can be devastating all year round and in particular in lambing season.

The 'sheep-wise' video produced by Quality Meat Scotland and the National Sheep Association is an excellent example of a current campaign which highlights the consequences to the public of failing to control their dogs when around other animals such as sheep.

The law on sheep-worrying is found in the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. This legislation provides that if a dog worries livestock on any agricultural land, the owner of the dog, and, if it is in the charge of a person other than its owner, that person also, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act. The definition of worrying livestock is if a dog attacks livestock, or chases livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or, in the case of females, abortion, or loss of or diminution in their produce, or is at large (that is to say not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.

Police Scotland is committed to applying the law robustly if dog owners don't keep their dogs under control, including investigating all incidents of livestock worrying and reporting cases reported to the Procurator Fiscal with a view to securing appropriate convictions. In addition, local authorities have powers to impose civil dog control notices if dogs are out of control and this includes on agricultural land.

The Scottish Government fully supports effective enforcement of the law in this area by justice agencies and local authorities.

The Scottish Government fully supports all steps taken to protect sheep from out of control dogs. The consequences of sheep worrying can be devastating all year round and in particular in lambing season.

The 'sheep-wise' video produced by Quality Meat Scotland and the National Sheep Association is an excellent example of a current campaign which highlights the consequences to the public of failing to control their dogs when around other animals such as sheep.

The law on sheep-worrying is found in the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. This legislation provides that if a dog worries livestock on any agricultural land, the owner of the dog, and, if it is in the charge of a person other than its owner, that person also, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act. The definition of worrying livestock is if a dog attacks livestock, or chases livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or, in the case of females, abortion, or loss of or diminution in their produce, or is at large (that is to say not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.

Police Scotland is committed to applying the law robustly if dog owners don't keep their dogs under control, including investigating all incidents of livestock worrying and reporting cases reported to the Procurator Fiscal with a view to securing appropriate convictions. In addition, local authorities have powers to impose civil dog control notices if dogs are out of control and this includes on agricultural land.

The Scottish Government fully supports effective enforcement of the law in this area by justice agencies and local authorities.

The Scottish Government is seeking to introduce free bus travel for young Modern Apprentices and for young carers in receipt of the planned Young Carer Grant (16-17 years old and up to 18 years old if still in school), as well as three months free bus travel for recipients of the proposed Job Grant (aged between 16 and 24 years) once these benefits come into force.

In addition, the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Young People currently provides discounts on bus and rail travel within Scotland for all young people living in Scotland aged 16 to 18. Using the Young Scot smartcard, the Scheme offers a one third discount off the adult single fare on any registered bus service, one third off most rail journeys and a 50% discount on rail season tickets. Eligible island residents also receive vouchers for 4 free ferry journeys a year.

Following discussions with Police Scotland it was decided that the most effective use of resources would be for the Scottish Government to provide financial support for a twelve month pilot project involving the establishment of a new group of Special Constables and their equipment in the Cairngorms National Park who will focus on tackling wildlife and rural crime. If the pilot project is judged to be successful, consideration will be given to extending the scheme to other areas of Scotland. This project was launched on 16 March 2018. The Scottish Government also agreed with Police Scotland to provide financial support for a new detective post, to be based at the Scottish Crime Campus at Gartcosh. This new post will join the existing Police Scotland wildlife crime staff at Gartcosh and will provide investigative support for wildlife crime cases throughout Scotland. The new officer has been recruited and is in post.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-15637 on 16 April 2018. 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 Scottish Government has committed, in its Programme for Government 2017-18, to prepare to amend the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to increase the maximum penalty for the most serious offences to 5 years imprisonment.

The Scottish Government is currently considering the most suitable legislative vehicle to deliver this commitment.

The Scottish Government contributed £150k towards the acquisition costs of the Galloway Hoard by National Museums Scotland. The total costs were £1,982,200 and National Museums Scotland also secured funding from The National Heritage Memorial Fund (£1 million), the Art Fund (£400k), and from individual members of the public, donors and Trusts (£432,200). Details of this funding package were announced by National Museums Scotland on 26 October 2017.

The Scottish Government is committed to support for a partnership agreement to be reached between National Museums Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway Council to ensure access to the Hoard for the wider Scottish public and visitors both in Galloway and across Scotland.

I am due to meet Dumfries & Galloway Council to seek an outcome which is mutually beneficial for both parties.