In determining an application for a licence, NatureScot must consider whether the hunt is sustainable, in that it would not have an adverse effect on the conservation status of the species concerned, namely gannets.

In the case of the Guga Hunt licence issued this year, NatureScot have confirmed that a population viability analysis of the gannets at Sula Sgeir was completed and considered as part of their assessment prior to issuing the licence.

In issuing a licence to permit the taking of 500 gugas, NatureScot have concluded that this number will allow the gannet population to continue to recover and enable a sustainable future take. The previous licence issued in 2018 was for 2000 birds.

As confirmed in the recently finalised Islands Connectivity Plan Strategic Approach, we will revisit the Freight Fares Review in the medium to long term.

Further details on revisiting the Freight Fares Review to explore ferry freight issues in more detail, considering all routes including to and from Colonsay, will be confirmed in due course.

The Scottish Government’s guidance on Welfare at the time of Killing in Salmon Farming is based on the recommendations made by the UK Government's Animal Welfare Committee and developed in conjunction with the Scottish farmed salmon industry, Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) and animal welfare organisations.

The Scottish Government takes the welfare of farmed fish at the time of slaughter very seriously. This welfare is assured by the requirement at Article 3.1 of retained Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 that ‘animals shall be spared any avoidable pain, distress or suffering during their killing and related operations’. We have no current plans to introduce further legislation.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-36642 on 2 May 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Protecting our marine environment is a shared responsibility and the Scottish Government welcomes community-led initiatives. The Kyles Coastal Community Group is a member of the Coastal Communities Network that engages directly with the Scottish Government on many marine issues. The Kyles Coastal Community Group can contact Scottish Water or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to raise any local wastewater concerns.

The EU published a recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive which came into effect on January 2025. Article 4, in particular places requirements in relation to Individual Systems – more commonly known as Private Wastewater Treatment Systems. The Scottish Government is reviewing its policies to establish how it should align with this Directive.

Under s.2(4) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, the Scottish Ministers are required to publish a list of habitats and species of principal importance within 12 months of the publication of a Scottish biodiversity strategy, known as the Scottish Biodiversity List. It will have particular relevance for public bodies applying their biodiversity duties.

Work to complete the list is ongoing and it would not therefore be appropriate to say definitively that species-rich grasslands will be included. However, various types of species-rich grassland are included in the current Scottish Biodiversity List.

The term ‘irreplaceable habitat’ is not widely used in Scottish biodiversity policy, although the term is used in National Planning Framework 4. The Scottish Government has commissioned NatureScot to develop an adapted biodiversity metric suitable for use in supporting delivery of NPF4 policy 3: Biodiversity (part b), work on which is underway. As part of that work, NatureScot are giving consideration to whether guidance or advice may be needed to support the operation of an adapted metric in Scotland, including whether guidance may be appropriate on this term or an alternative approach set out.

We are unable to provide the information requested. The aquaculture sector is governed by multiple agencies in both Scotland and the UK, for example APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). These agencies provide different legislative functions and charging schemes. The agencies and their respective employees who work on aquaculture undertake a wide range of duties relating to the governance of aquaculture in the round, not only to the salmon sector.

We are unable to provide this information in the format requested. The various agencies involved in the regulation of aquaculture which includes finfish, shellfish and seaweed sectors, undertake a wide range of duties in relation to aquaculture including governance, policy development, research and supporting Ministers.

The Scottish Government is currently developing the mandatory planning training for elected members. This includes commissioned research by Planning Aid Scotland to inform the development of the content and roll-out of the training, working with stakeholders in the creation of a training package and piloting and evaluation of the training. This is to ensure the end product meets policy objectives to build trust and confidence in the planning system and to ensure the effective implementation of the mandatory training. The Regulations will be brought forward following the completion of this work, which is scheduled for 2026, to be ready in advance of the Scottish Local Government elections in May 2027. In the meantime, based on a survey that was completed at the start of the year, by Heads of Planning Scotland, a high number of Councillors receive planning training at the local level.