Chamber and committees

The evaluation of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot will be completed in early 2011 and the final evaluation report will be published thereafter. Initial findings indicate that there has been no significant displacement of traffic as a result of RET. The interim evaluation report and other relevant documents are available on the Scottish Government website:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Transport/ferries-ports-canals/14342/TARIFF.

The final report on the RET pilot will take into account all of the impacts of the scheme, including any possible displacement of traffic, as well as consideration of the social and economic impacts.

The decision to extend the Road Equivalent Tariff(RET) pilot was taken on the basis of consultation and engagement as set out in the answer to question S3W-36059 on 30 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

styl

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The actions of Iceland and Faeroes in setting unilateral total allowable catches (TACs) for mackerel in the North East Atlantic are irresponsible and risk the future sustainability of the stock, which in turn could have serious impacts for the Scottish Pelagic Fleet. The Scottish Government has received representations from the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen''s Association welcoming the positive action we have taken to address the issue; as well as concerns expressed by some Scottish fish processors that any action we take should not deprive them of raw material for their production.

Marine Scotland has objected to the Marine Stewardship Council certification of the Faroese mackerel stock. The objection has been accepted by the independent adjudicator and the outcome of her review is awaited. The Scottish Government has also written to the Government of Faeroes in response to complaints that the Faeroese vessel Jupiter was prevented from landing mackerel at Peterhead, encouraging the Faeroese Government to return to the negotiating table.

I have written twice to Commissioner Damanaki asking her to take a strong stand against the Faroese and Icelanders, and in particular to keep the issue at the fore during Iceland''s EU accession negotiations. Following my first letter, the Commissioner wrote to Commissioner Fule (Enlargement) highlighting the problems and asking him to ensure it was discussed during the accession negotiations.

My second letter was in response to the Faeroese decision to set a TAC far in excess of their previous share. Following this, the Commissioner made a statement condemning the action and outlining possible further action that would be taken against the Faeroes if they did not reconsider their approach during the next round of negotiations. I followed up the letters with a phone conversation during which Commissioner Damanaki assured me of her commitment to resolving the issue and that she would work closely with the Scottish and UK Governments.

I have maintained close contact throughout with the UK Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP. He too has made parallel representations to the Commission. I have also encouraged the UK Government to explore the scope for wider diplomatic pressure to be brought to bear.

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the UK, the European Commission and other key European member states to identify how best we can ensure Iceland and Faeroes come back to the negotiating table in order to secure a deal that is fair for Scotland and protects the mackerel stock.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-35770 on 9 September 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

This information is not held centrally. Publications by the Scottish Government can be found online at:

(a) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases.

(b) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Archive.

(c) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/Recent.

No. The delay in publishing the Energy Efficiency Action Plan has not adversely affected the take-up of energy efficiency measures across Scotland.

An increased level of emissions savings have been reported in 2009-10 by both the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust, who between them provide energy efficiency support to the domestic, business and public sector in Scotland.

Many of the actions outlined within the draft EEAP are already being progressed, to ensure that we continue to build upon our wide range of existing policies and programmes prior to publication of the plan.

The Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Scotland will be published this autumn.