I can assure Parliament the Scottish Government fully accepts the principle of animal sentience and will take all appropriate action to safeguard animal welfare standards. Animal sentience has been recognised in Scottish legislation for over a century, most recently in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-09030 on 10 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-09030 on 10 May 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11940 on 2 November 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-11940 on 2 November 2017. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 are the principal instrument transposing the EU Habitats Directive into Scots Law.

Scottish Ministers have no current plans to review or consolidate the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. As part of our preparations for the UK’s exit from the EU, we are considering whether any gaps could arise that would need to be addressed to ensure Scotland maintains its high standards of environmental protection. The case for consultation on any ensuing proposals for amendment will be considered at the appropriate time.

To date, two agroforestry applications have been submitted through the Forestry Grant Scheme. Both schemes were subsequently withdrawn and therefore no grant money for agroforestry has been awarded. Efforts continue to engage with the agricultural sector to promote the benefits of agroforestry grants.

The Scottish Government provides secretariat support to both the National Council of Rural Advisers and the Agriculture Champions. The Champions, their working groups and the National Council members do not receive any remuneration for their services other than travel and subsistence expenses. The Scottish Government would like to thank the Champions, it’s working group members and the National Council, for giving up their time so freely to help develop recommendations on future policy.

While it is for the National Council of Rural Advisers and for each of the Agricultural Champions, and their groups to determine which organisations and individuals they wish to meet and engage with, we would expect both the National Council of Rural Advisers and Agricultural Champions to seek and take account of views from a wide variety of stakeholders. This would include environmental organisations with an interest in the rural economy and farming and food production. I have written to over 200 stakeholders to encourage them to submit views and evidence to the National Council for its consideration.

The Agricultural Champions have attended the last two meetings of the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Stakeholder Group. Minutes of these meetings, as well as the agenda and action log of the National Council of Rural Advisers meetings, are published on the Scottish Government website.

The Review group chaired by Professor Russel Griggs was tasked with considering the detailed implementation arrangements for the planned changes to 2018 greening rules, announced in February. The Group has provided its advice on these changes and that has been incorporated into the detailed guidance on 2018 greening measures that was published recently.

The Group was also asked to consider further possible changes to the rules, including taking account of the European Commission’s Simplification Review of greening, the group are still considering their advice in relation to this.