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The Forest Research National Forest Inventory (NFI) provides ecological data on all types of woodland using data drawn from the Woodland Ecological Condition (WEC) assessment. This is a systematic and statistically robust evaluation of ecological condition in all types of woodlands.

The Woodland Ecological Assessment is based on 15 measures of ecological condition, including the amount of deadwood, proportion of favourable land cover around woodland, vegetation and ground flora, herbivore grazing, and invasive non-native species which all provide an indication of biodiversity value. Measures that relate to habitat connectivity, such as proportion of favourable land cover around woodland are also measured. A WEC score is produced against each of the indicators and aggregated to produce an overall score. The benchmark is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland in good condition. Results are produced approximately every five years, with next cycle of reporting is due in 2024-25.

The total cost of the independent taskforce charged with conducting a review of Scottish SPCA powers was £2834.20.

Scottish SPCA inspectors currently undertake training to enable them to carry out their duties as part of their current responsibilities provided through the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. This includes internal training courses, on the job training, and externally audited training during and after their probation period.

We expect that any additional training would be incorporated into current training. The details of the training and the associated costs will be developed after the public consultation on the proposals this summer.

As with the powers Scottish SPCA inspectors currently have under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, powers will be authorised by Scottish Ministers. Scottish Ministers will also have the ability to remove powers from a Scottish SPCA inspector if necessary.

There are no plans to appoint an independent body to oversee the Scottish SPCA’s use of enhanced powers in relation to wildlife crime.

The Scottish Government will be consulting over the summer on provisions to allow for a limited extension of the Scottish SPCA’s current powers to investigate wildlife crime. We will consider whether there is a requirement to update the BRIA following the outcome of this consultation.

Transport Scotland, acting on behalf of Scottish Ministers, is a statutory consultee in the planning process on developments that affect the trunk road network, including the A1 at Reston. In support of the Reston station development, Transport Scotland undertook a review of the submitted Transport Assessment prepared by the developer.

The results of the junction assessment showed that there were no significant adverse operational impacts on the A1/B6438 junction as a result of predicted development traffic associated with the Reston Station development.

Each year Transport Scotland, through its Operating Companies, undertakes a review of collisions on the trunk road network to identify cluster sites, or routes with recorded collisions that may be worthwhile of further investigation. This evidence led approach ensures that resources can be targeted at locations where the greatest potential for casualty reduction is available. The most recent screening process did not identify the A1/B6438 junction as a priority site for further investigation, however Transport Scotland will continue to monitor road safety at this location.

The Scottish Government have no plans to fully dual the A1 between Edinburgh and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

A range of potential improvements to the trunk road and motorway network, including the A1, were appraised in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. However, full dualling of the A1, or any other route, was not included in the final 45 recommendations. The evidence and rationale for that is provided within the publications for STPR2; the member may wish to refer to Sections 6 and 7 in the final technical report for more detail.

In line with the sustainable travel and investment hierarchies, the transport appraisal reflected that, rather than measures that increase capacity, the priorities for investment in Scotland’s trunk road network are on improving road safety, reliability and resilience, as well as adapting the network to deal with the challenges of climate change.

Marine Scotland does not record whether a report of illegal fishing is substantiated. Any reports are fully investigated and where there is sufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution the Enforcement team can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice up to £10k or make a report to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service. Around 2500 intelligence reports are received each year from a variety of sources. These are used in a risk-based system to influence tasking of Marine, Aerial and Coastal assets. Enforcement statistics are published on the Scottish Government website Marine and fisheries compliance: list of fixed penalty notices - 26 May 2020 to 30 June 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Ministers have agreed to HSE refusing the 2023 emergency authorisation application for the use of Asulox, to control bracken, because of the risks it poses to the environment and human health.

This follows existing precedent for decisions over pesticide approvals being exercised on behalf of Scottish Ministers by HSE. Independent advice from the Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture and the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides supported the Health and Safety Executive’s recommendation to not give Asulox an emergency authorisation.

The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the risks associated with uncontrolled bracken and did not take this decision lightly. The Scottish Government is committed to science based decision making, and follows well established and evidence based process in relation to the authorisation of chemicals.

As highlighted by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Asulox has been used on 2,000-3,000 ha of land in Scotland each year, around 2% of the total bracken area. Thus Asulox is not currently, nor can likely ever be, a tool for a national bracken control programme.

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders and NatureScot to consider options for sustainable bracken management.

Whilst I have not met with Professor Roy Brown, I have considered, and values, the information provided by him in relation to the role of bracken in tick population dynamics and human and animal disease.

I have accepted an invitation from the Bracken Control Group, which Professor Roy Brown is a representative on, to visit a location with established bracken, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss impacts and control options.