Chamber and committees

The regulatory assessment of local authority capability in terms of nuclear response is reserved the UK Government and is carried out by the independent regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).

The regulations require a review and testing of plans within a three year period, unless otherwise agreed with the Regulator.

For licensed nuclear sites in Scotland, and some defence sites, the off-site nuclear emergency plans were assessed by ONR on the following dates

Argyll & Bute Council - 30 August 2018

The Highland Council - 6 June 2019

North & South Ayrshire County Councils - 12 June 2019

East Lothian Council - 27 September 2017

In addition to ONR’s formal assessment, Scottish Government officials are able to consider the preparedness and capability of all multi-agency partners by being fully committed to the planning, training, exercising and learning processes in Scotland; a tried and tested method supported by Scottish Government’s Preparing Scotland guidance.

Scottish Government regularly participates in the planning and delivery of REPPIR exercises as well as the development and review of off-site plans to ensure that government response arrangements are integrated with the Local Authorities and other responders.

One recent example was Exercise Aquila where Scottish Government officials supported the multi-agency planning, preparation, delivery and learning processes , to test the offsite emergency arrangements in place for Hunterston B Power Station, to ensure that it met all of the objectives agreed by the Office of the Nuclear Regulator (ONR).

The West of Scotland Regional Resilience Partnership (WoSRRP) co-ordinators, in addition to forming part of the planning team, participated in the exercise itself to provide the initial Scottish Government Liaison Officer (SGLO) response in support of all responders at tactical and strategic levels. They were augmented by Scottish Government Liaison Officers (SGLOs) from Scottish Government Resilience Division.

The interaction on the part of the Scottish Government was simulated by officials from the Response & Policy Engagement Team, who ran the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) within St Andrews House in Edinburgh.

A subsequent structured debrief involving all participants and the ONR, was conducted by the WoSRRP Co-ordination team. This resulted in an in-depth debrief report/ lessons learned being submitted to the ONR and contributing to their assessment that the exercise met the requirements of the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations.

At this time we expect forestry grants in 2020-21 to deliver 11,550 hectares of new woodland. Forestry & Land Scotland expect to be planting around 450 hectares in 2020-21 on the National forests and land.

Scottish Forestry has already issued grant contracts for 9,000 hectares of planting in 2020-21 and is aware of work underway on additional schemes for next winter’s planting season that will further contribute to the Scottish Government’s woodland creation target.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation, as the independent Great Britain Competent Authority for the transport of Class 7 (radioactive material) dangerous goods, has provided assurance to Scottish Government that the amended regulations should not have an anticipated impact on the arrangements for movement of radioactive materials from Dounreay to Sellafield or international destinations, whatever the mode of transport.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (CDG2019) came in to force on the 21 April 2019. The amendment makes some changes to emergency preparedness and response duties for carriers and consignors of radioactive materials to prevent or mitigate the consequences should a radiation emergency occur during transport.

In response to the CDG2019 regulations, the Dounreay operator has now produced a set of detailed transport specific radiation risk assessments for each of the flasks and packages used to move nuclear materials from the site. Risk assessments cover a wide range of considerations (however unlikely the event) such as the nature of the source, planned systems of work, possible accident situations and estimated radiation dose rates to which anyone can be exposed.

I understand that risk assessments can then be used, if necessary, to further control elements of operations to minimise the likelihood of any emergency event.

When conducting a radiation risk assessment, the Dounreay operator must consult a radiation protection adviser (RPA) and in addition the appointed safety representative(s) or employees, as designated by the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996.5.

The requirement for local authorities to test their response to off-site nuclear emergencies and to warn and inform the public is reserved to the UK Government.

REPPIR 2019 is subject to independent oversight from the Office of Nuclear Regulation and the Health and Safety Executive, including formal assessments of compliance.

Whilst Scottish Government officials do not make any formal assessment of Local Authorities warning and informing duty under the act they closely engage with them through site planning groups and public stakeholder groups and encourage engagement on communities’ concerns.

In the public groups, briefing information is delivered by operators, regulators and local authorities about current issues relating to the site / off-site planning zones. Submissions to these meetings are scrutinised by all attendees including the general public and their Elected Members who are invited to ask questions or raise issues.

The legislation governing emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) in respect of nuclear matters are reserved to the UK Government, and is covered under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR 2019).

While this is reserved legislation, Scottish Government officials worked closely with UK Government and regulators in its development to ensure that Scottish considerations helped shape the framework and that Scottish stakeholders including the public were engaged.

REPPIR 2019 legislation, Codes of Practice and guidance were subject to public consultations and these consultations were supported in Scotland by the Scottish Government.

Regular REPPIR 2019 updates have been provided by Scottish Government officials to Scottish nuclear site public forums, where members of the public receive updates from government, operators and regulators and get the opportunity to raise questions or issues.

Scottish Government officials also chair the Scottish Nuclear Resilience Group, where a range of Scottish nuclear stakeholders get the opportunity to scrutinise government and regulators.

The most recent Pesticide Usage on Arable Crops survey recorded a decrease in the use of glyphosate between 2016 and 2018. Use of pesticides, including those containing glyphosate is influenced by a range of factors, such as growing and weather conditions. Therefore, at this stage, it is too early to confirm if this is the beginning of a downward trend.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to help land managers in all sectors reduce their reliance on the use of pesticides. IPM is a site specific approach that integrates a full range of complimentary measures, including targeted herbicide application and as such the reduction of glyphosate is not a particular focus in IPM, but it may occur as part of a the targeted approach.

The impact of glyphosate on human health and the environment was considered by the EU when deciding whether to approve the substance. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out detailed reviews of glyphosate and concluded that the available scientific evidence did not raise safety concerns that would prevent continuing approval. UK regulatory scientists participated in the assessment made by EFSA and agreed with its conclusions. The recent court rulings in the USA did not bring new scientific evidence to light and they do not raise doubts about the assessments underpinning the EU approval decision.

The Scottish Government’s position on pesticides is based on expert advice and is reviewed in response to emerging scientific evidence.

Assets owned by the Scottish Government are held by the relevant Directorate or Non Departmental Public Body. In the case of asset transfer requests under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 the management and transfer of these assets is the responsibility of each of the organisations listed in schedule 3 of the Act, known as Relevant Authorities. They must adhere to relevant legislation, policy requirements, guidance as set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual, and the asset transfer statutory guidance.

If an asset transfer request has been refused by a Relevant Authority on behalf of Scottish Ministers, the Community Transfer Body can request a review of that decision under section 87 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. To ensure there is no conflict of interest, an Independent Panel considers the review and provides advice and a recommendation to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government who makes a decision on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

We are clear that the welfare of staff is critically important and we expect all health Boards in NHSScotland to meet the standards set out in the national Attendance Policy (https://workforce.nhs.scot/policies/attendance-policy-overview/attendance-policy/ ). This policy provides clear guidance to managers and staff on supporting employees both during absence and on their return to work.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having an unprecedented impact and we are hugely grateful for the extraordinary hard work, skill and commitment of all those working across Scotland’s health and social care sectors during this emergency.

We are taking steps to ensure that staff are able receive the right practical and emotional support. This includes promising specialist mental health services to staff members who might need further support and care.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-29112 on 29 May 2020, which is available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .