Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is satisfied that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is imposing restrictions on General Licences in accordance with the ‘Framework for Implementing Restrictions’ which was published in 2014. This Framework requires SNH to be satisfied that on the balance of probabilities an offence or offences have been committed on relevant land by those responsible for the management of that land or by specific individuals.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) relies on evidence of offences in relation to wild birds being provided by Police Scotland. Where there is no evidence of an offence having been committed, the criteria within the existing framework for implementing General Licence restrictions are not met.

SNH is planning to review the framework to consider whether evidence from satellite tags can be taken into account when considering whether to impose a restriction. SNH will consult with PAWS partners and others as part of its review.

The primary purpose of imposing restrictions on the use of General Licences is to more effectively regulate the activities of land managers where Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has reason to have lost trust or confidence in the way those activities are carried out. Decisions are based on robust evidence provided by Police Scotland.

There are no plans for the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAWS) Executive Group to review this approach. However, SNH is planning to review the framework for implementing General Licence restrictions to consider whether evidence from satellite tags can be taken into account when considering whether to impose a restriction. SNH will consult with PAWS partners and others as part of its review.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) continues to develop its thinking on ecological connectivity, including the role of existing networks such as the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. This is a coordinated EU-wide network of sites for vulnerable, rare or threatened species and habitats. In addition, a range of other existing activity is contributing to ecological connectivity, including sites designated for nature conservation under Scottish legislation, landscape-scale conservation work and agri-environment support.

SNH is leading and coordinating the delivery of Scotland’s Biodiversity - A Route Map to 2020, which includes a number of projects which contribute to ecological connectivity.

SNH is also developing an ecological connectivity indicator as part of the Ecosystem Health Indicator suite (see https://www.environment.gov.scot/our-environment/state-of-the-environment/ecosystem-health-indicators/function-indicators/indicator-8-connectivity/ ). Connectivity Ecosystem Health Indicators for four key habitats (woodland, heathland, grassland and fen/marsh/swamp) have been published thus far. These indicators measure ‘functional connectivity’: how well species can move from one habitat patch to another. The indicator is based on the Habitat Map of Scotland, which uses the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) system of classifying habitats.

We have a range of activity aimed at reducing our consumption of disposable materials. A priority area for the newly established expert panel will be to consider how best to reduce uptake of single use cups ( https://beta.gov.scot/news/fight-against-throwaway-culture/ ). The Scottish Government estate has been showing leadership in this regard, and from 4 June disposable hot drink cups will not be available in the main Scottish Government buildings.

The expert panel has now been established, as was announced on 11 May ( https://beta.gov.scot/news/fight-against-throwaway-culture/ ). The panel will have its first meeting next month.

Given the varied nature of Scotland's urban road network and the number of factors which need to be considered when setting appropriate speed limits, the Scottish Government believes decisions on 20 mph speed limits on local roads are best taken at Local Authority level, with Scottish Ministers deciding for the Trunk Road Network.

Local Authorities are empowered to implement 20 mph limits on local roads where appropriate and any promotion of such limits would be carried out by them. The Scottish Government is not currently allocating any spend on promotional campaigns in relation to such limits.

For the Trunk Road Network, Scottish Ministers identified five 20mph pilots. The A77 at Maybole and the A702 at Biggar have been implemented and the costs associated with publishing the orders for these pilots are in the order of £800 and £5293 respectively. The 20mph pilots on the A85 through Oban and the A7 through Langholm remain at pre-consultation stage and no promotional costs have yet been incurred. The 20mph pilot on the A78 through Largs was not taken forward following public consultation.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

The introduction of any system of recording of speeding warnings issued by Police Scotland officers is a matter for Police Scotland, not for the Lord Advocate. The Lord Advocate has invited Police Scotland to contact Mr Ruskell’s office directly to address the question. Police Scotland has confirmed that they will do so.

The Scottish Government has not received any reports in the past year that beavers are being deliberately killed in Tayside. A survey which will report on changes to the distribution and density of the wild beaver population in Scotland between 2012 and 2018 will be published later this year by Scottish Natural Heritage.

The Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) which will provide protection to beavers will be laid before the Scottish Parliament when actions required by the Strategic Environmental Assessment process are satisfactorily completed. We are currently analysing the responses received to the Consultation on the Beavers in Scotland, Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report (2017). The SSI will add beavers to Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. Following Scottish Parliamentary approval, beavers would be classified as a European Protected Species. The Scottish Government aims to have this work completed by the autumn of this year.