Chamber and committees

The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 allows National Park authorities to appoint staff. This is likely to include rangers.The proposals for a National Park in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and in the Cairngorms, published recently for consultation, seek views on rangers, and whether any additional powers are needed in the designation orders to enable the provision of effective ranger services.

In accordance with normal practice, the advice to Scottish Ministers from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) is published on the Scottish Executive's website.

As well as ACRE, the Scottish Executive has also received advice from the Health & Safety Executive, the Food Standards Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, who were all satisfied that the trials did not give rise to environmental concerns. In addition to this formal advice, nine representations were received from the public about the farm scale evaluations generally, following notification of the proposed sites on 3 August.

The Scottish Executive is currently working with the industry to produce a strategy for a sustainable farming industry in Scotland.I cannot anticipate what proposals might emerge in relation to hill farming.

The programme of farm-scale evaluations, including the site at Munlochy, is important and scientifically rigorous research that will provide information to evaluate any long-term effects of growing GM crops under normal agricultural conditions.

To ensure that the data collected through these evaluations is representative of UK agricultural conditions an independent Scientific Steering Committee selected sites with a wide range of geographical, ecological and agricultural conditions. By selecting the Munlochy site, the committee (which includes members from the RSPB and the natural heritage agencies) has ensured that the distinctive ecology of the area is included within the research programme. As winter oilseed rape is widely grown in the north of Scotland, the site will provide valuable data on the possible impact on biodiversity, whether positive or negative, of growing a GM variety on a commercial scale in this region.

The scientific information obtained from the Munlochy trial, together with data from the UK evaluation programme, will enable informed views to be reached before decisions are taken on possible wider commercial use.

The purpose of the farm-scale evaluation programme is precisely to determine the environmental implications of growing GM crops under tightly controlled and closely monitored conditions. Consent was granted for this site to participate in the trial programme following safety assurances from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) that the crop does not pose a threat to public health or environmental safety.

Separation distances have been put in place around the trial crop to minimise the possibility of cross-pollination with other related species. These distances are increased between the respective GM crop and a certified organic crop of oilseed rape. There is no safety or scientific justification for an organic farmer losing his organic status as a result of a farm-scale trial in the vicinity.

I am pleased to report good progress on these issues. The census date for the identification of all bovines in Scotland was last weekend and the process of cleaning up this data and entering on to the Cattle Traceability System (CTS) database has started. The aim is for completion by end-December 2000. I very much welcome the industry-wide support given to this exercise particularly at such a busy time.

Once completed this will provide a computerised record of all bovines in Scotland with unique identification numbers - which is the starting point for a fully electronic system.

I announced on 22 June a short consultancy to identify the industry's key data requirements and I have today put a copy of the final report into SPICe. It identifies industry key data requirement and also the arrangements necessary to allow electronic access to the CTS database. I am pleased to report that access systems, consistent with those recommended in the report, are already under development. I will be able to announce introduction of the new system within the next few months.

In parallel, work has been progressing on electronic identification. So far this has concentrated on detailed technical aspects of the systems themselves, to ensure that workable and durable arrangements are identified. Again I will be able to make an announcement about these arrangements within the next few months.

The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) received an application from the Old School Project in April 2000, for funding towards the costs of a study to examine the viability of providing an arts venue in Lochaber. The application looked particularly at the Old School in Fort William.

The SAC Capital Committee considered the application at its meeting on 11 July and took the decision to reject it.

The department regularly meets with senior representatives from the Scottish Crofters Union and is doing so again today. At three meetings within the last three months crofting reform issues were discussed. The SCU are also members of the Crofting Consultative Panel. Their views are therefore sought on the full range of measures which might be included in any future crofting legislation.

The Executive is committed to best value and modern government for Scotland. Ministers recognise that the staff of the Executive has made immense efforts to deliver devolution. The aim of Civil Service Reform is to maximise the effectiveness of the staff of the Executive in order to deliver 21st Century Government and make it work for the people of Scotland. The Executive is developing and implementing innovative approaches, from more participative and issue-based policy making, to continuous improvement in delivery of services by the application of information and communication technology.

To develop and lead the modernisation process, a parallel programme of Civil Service Reform is under way. The Executive's action plan focuses on key developments in leadership, business planning, performance management, diversity, and attracting and developing talent. To equip the staff to meet these challenges, training priorities have been overhauled and refocused; external recruitment is taking place at all levels; business processes are being re-engineered; and internal communications have been systematically developed and improved.

I am pleased to announce the Executive has been successful in securing an additional £3.58 million from Cabinet Office funds to support and accelerate this work. These funds will help develop corporate leadership by supporting the newly established Scottish Leadership Foundation and introducing 360 degree feedback; help to develop a new integrated business planning and performance management system; to increase diversity in the Executive by encouraging the recruitment and progression of people from traditionally under-represented groups - women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities; to boost the range of skills and experience available by substantially increasing staff interchange in partnership with public and private sectors; to raise skills levels, especially among junior staff, by introducing formal qualifications; and to develop more flexible ways of working which exploit the potential of information technology with benefits both to staff and to the Executive.

Following the Executive's review of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board initiated last year, and taking account of views expressed in the course of a public consultation exercise, we have concluded that the Board should continue to operate within the existing statutory framework. The next review of the Board will take place in 2004-05.