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The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the A75 and A77 in connecting the most south westerly communities of Dumfries and Galloway, including the ports at Cairnryan, with destinations in west and central Scotland. The condition of the trunk road network, which includes the A7, A75, A76, A77, A701 and A751 in Dumfries and Galloway, is inspected by Transport Scotland's Operating Companies on a weekly basis. A safe and efficient trunk road network for all road users is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government.

I travelled to Stranraer via the A77 for a meeting with members of Dual the A75 and A77 Action Groups and local MSPs on the 22 August.

Since 2007 the Scottish Government has invested approximately £59 million in road maintenance and £35 million in four separate schemes on the A77, in addition there is planned investment on the A77 Maybole Bypass with construction costs of £30 million. Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and that is why Scottish Government is undertaking the South West Scotland Transport study. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors including the A75 and A77 as well as the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries, with a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan.

An Initial-Appraisal report will be produced which will include recommendations setting out possible transport interventions which will be considered through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

The Scottish Government views the voluntary payment of community benefits from renewables developments as an opportunity for local communities to share in the benefits of their energy resource.

Our Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments published in 2014, set out national standards on community benefits. This encourages the development of a legally binding contract between parties covering the lifetime of the project/asset.

The Scottish Government is currently reviewing its Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits (and shared ownership). This work is being taken forward with a view to ensuring that communities continue to benefit from large scale renewable energy developments.

Those with potential projects seeking funding should submit their ideas to the South of Scotland Economic Partnership ( sosep@scotborders.gov.uk ).

The Partnership will consider initial enquiries and the potential for those projects to progress to a formal funding application. Projects progressing to a formal funding application will require a business case setting out information about the project and its contribution to inclusive growth. The business case will be assessed by the Partnership against a set of agreed and consistent criteria including demonstrating: a clear link to the Partnership's priorities; additionality, activity that could not otherwise have happened; ambition, making a significant difference; partnership; and leverage of other funding sources.

The Partnership will then submit a recommendation to the Government to decide on whether or not to approve the funding application. The process will be set out on the Partnership's website.

In the 2018-2019 Budget, the Scottish Government identified £10million to drive forward inclusive growth and support communities across the South of Scotland. The budget will support the work of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership, enabling additional activity to take place supporting businesses and communities. A range of individuals, groups and organisations have made initial approaches to the Partnership to explore the potential for funding and whether to progress their ideas and submit applications for support. There have been nine formal applications for funding, with two approved and seven under consideration.

The scientific trial commenced on 1 February 2018. Vessels selected to participate are required to undergo an inspection by Marine Scotland to ensure that each vessel and its operation fully meets the criteria for the trial. There have been 17 such inspections (5 in February, 7 in March, 4 in April and 1 in May) and each of these vessels have now received a derogation allowing them to commence fishing. Vessels are not failed on initial inspection and operators are given the opportunity to address any identified shortcomings prior to any derogation being issued, the time taken to address operational issues varies from case to case.

Marine Scotland Compliance deploy resources based on regular risk assessment. Since the start of the trial there have been 6 boardings of razor vessels at sea and 13 inspections following landings undertaken by Marine Scotland Compliance. These numbers do not indicate a heightened risk. However inspections would be increased if intelligence received warranted it or if infringements were detected.

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 will introduce the legislation when the most suitable legislative vehicle to deliver this commitment is identified and it will come into force on approval by the Scottish Parliament.

The Razor Clams (Prohibition on Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2017 prohibits all fishing for and landing of razor clams within the Scottish zone, except in relation to any operations that are conducted for the purpose of scientific investigation authorised by the Scottish Ministers and in relation to fishing for razor clams by hand in tidal waters, up to a maximum of 30 clams per person per day. The Order applies to all forms of fishing, including by hydraulic dredge. The Order is made under powers in the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967, and not under EU law.

Further to the Order, a controlled trial of electro-fishing for razor clams commenced on 1 February 2018. The scientific trial is being conducted in terms of Article 43 of EC Regulation 850/98. The purpose of this trial is to undertake a commercial level test of this fishing method, to confirm that it can be undertaken safely and sustainably, and to gather information about impacts upon the benthic environment It is considered necessary to prohibit all commercial fishing outside the trial in light of a risk, which is considered to be a high risk, that any such fishing would be undertaken with the use of electricity. Fishing with electricity, while illegal under EU law, has in the recent past been the predominant method used in the commercial fishing for razor clams.

It is not planned as part of the trial to undertake a comparison, through an economic and environmental assessment, of hydraulic dredging and electrofishing methods, and an economic and environmental assessment of hydraulic dredging for razor clams was not conducted prior to setting the terms of the razor clam electrofishing trial. Scientific research has already shown that the electro-fishing method is highly selective, produces high quality produce with zero bycatch and is less intrusive than dredging.

Since August 2014 Scottish vessels have been required to apply for a specific additional permit to fish for razor clams, including by hydraulic dredge. Marine Scotland is not aware of any fishing vessel fishing for razor clams by using hydraulic dredges in Scottish inshore waters in the twelve month period prior to the Razor Clams (Prohibition on Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 2017 coming into force.

There has been extensive consultation about razor clam fishing in Scotland. Following the Scottish Government’s response to a 2016 public consultation about the regulated use of electricity in the fishery, consultation meetings were held with fishermen, businesses, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties to discuss the development of the electro-fishery trial.