- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has sought advice from NatureScot regarding commencing the muirburn licensing provisions ahead of the 2025 muirburn season and, if so, whether it will publish this.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not sought formal advice on this issue. Regular discussions are held between Scottish Government officials and NatureScot regarding commencing of the muirburn licensing provisions. NatureScot are working towards putting the necessary arrangements in place to allow for commencement of these provisions ahead of the 2025 muirburn season.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of the new muirburn code, and what the timescale is for its completion.
Answer
A final draft of the Muirburn Code was discussed by the Muirburn Code Working Group at their meeting on 26 February 2025. It is expected that the final Muirburn Code will be signed off for publication shortly after this meeting and the Scottish Government and NatureScot aim to make it available by the end of March 2025.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of the new methodology for determining peat depth to inform maps submitted as part of an application to make muirburn under licence, and what the timescale is for its completion.
Answer
The peat depth methodology has been developed and NatureScot is aiming to publish it shortly. In support of this NatureScot have also made a map indicating areas likely to be peatland, non-peatland and areas of uncertainty available on their website.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how the total funding that it has provided for local government has changed over the last decade in real terms and as a proportion of total spending.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2025
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 25 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the assessment process for the Borderlands Solway Coast and Marine Project bid has been delayed, and by what date a decision will be made on the funding application.
Answer
The Solway Cost and Marine Pilot Project (SCAMPP), business justification case was assessed by the Scottish and UK Governments using HM Treasury Green Book guidance. Appropriate due diligence was undertaken and, following further work by the project development partners to clearly articulate its economic and environmental benefits and demonstrate value for money, it was endorsed by Scottish and UK Government on 20 February 2025. This will allow the research element to proceed.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 6 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what lessons have been learnt following the travel disruption and other impacts as a result of Storm Éowyn.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 6 February 2025
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 29 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to cultural organisations in rural areas.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 29 January 2025
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 23 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve road safety on key routes.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 23 January 2025
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 7 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any concerns with the reported lack of ISO standards around ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology in livestock.
Answer
An official ISO standard for the use of UHF in animal identification was published in December 2023. The Scottish Government is considering all evidence following the consultation on cattle identification and traceability held earlier this year, this includes delivery of any future ISO standards.
- Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any impact of adopting ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology on the trade of Scottish cattle and beef with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Answer
Scottish Ministers are considering all the available information on bovine EID and technology use across the UK. This includes the ScotEID pilot findings into UHF, the results and analysis of the consultation held on Cattle ID and Traceability earlier this year and ongoing close discussions with the livestock sector. All potential impacts, including those on trade, will be fully considered before a final decision is made.