Chamber and committees

EU funding for the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is fixed at ‚¬679 million for the programme period 2007-13. The Scottish Government has flexibility to deploy that funding across the SRDP, subject to EU rules on minimum spending levels on the various axes of the Programme. These are: 10% for Axis 1 improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors; 25% for Axis 2 improving the environment and the countryside; 10% for Axis 3 quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy, and, 5% for Axis 4 LEADER. Funding for the low-carbon, low-energy, locally marketed food production is delivered through the SRDP.

EU export subsidies are subject to restrictions, as agreed in the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations. Further modifications may be agreed in the context of the current WTO Doha Round. In the meantime the government supports the European Commission''s approach of applying export subsidies on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with WTO rules.

The Scottish Government does not promote one particular feeding regime over another. The method by which dairy producers feed their animals is a matter for the farmer to determine.

My officials regularly meet with key industry stakeholders regarding electronic identification (EID) and they keep me informed of these discussions. Over that last few months I have discussed EID with various industry members, amongst other issues, at meetings and events I have attended. I have also met with the Scottish EID Working Group on the 10 September 2009 to discuss this issue.

The Scottish Government will issue its final thermal guidance later this year following consideration of responses to our own consultation and the subsequent UK consultation which closed on 9 September 2009.

Scottish Government action to reduce emissions from farming is currently based around our Farming for a Better Climate initiative with support through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). SRDP also provides assistance to support collaborative activity throughout food chains which assist the marketing of locally produced food.

The climate change delivery plan sets out four transformational outcomes which the Scottish Government is working towards. The first of these is a largely de-carbonised electricity generation sector by 2030, primarily using renewable sources for electricity generation with other electricity generation from fossil fuelled plants utilising carbon capture and storage. The development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of our ten energy pledges and CCS and other low carbon technologies will play a vital role in meeting that challenge.

EU export subsidies are already subject to restrictions, as agreed in the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations. Further modifications may be agreed in the context of the current WTO Doha Round. In the interim the Scottish Government supports the European Commission''s approach of applying export subsidies on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with WTO rules.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27009 on 18 September 2009. 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.

In a deregulated dairy industry producers are free to make their own business decisions, including the volume of milk produced.