Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-21117

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is exploring the possibility of providing compensation to any land managers left with no other viable methods for managing predation as a result of the proposal to ban snares and cable restraints.

We are not, at present, exploring the possibility of providing compensation to land managers in connection with the proposed ban on snares. We are still consulting on our proposals, but at this stage we are of the view that there are strong wildlife welfare reasons for bringing forward a ban. We also have not yet seen evidence of situations where no other form of essential predator or pest control is available.

Question reference: S6W-21118

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its proposals to ban snares and cable restraints, what its position is on how land managers can manage predation pressure by foxes in the event that the use of snares and cable restraints is the only viable method of doing so.

We understand that in some cases the use of snares may be considered by land managers to be the most cost-effective method of controlling foxes. However we take the view that that animal welfare considerations should take precedence over cost considerations in this instance. We have not seen any evidence so far of any situations where no other form of predator control other than snaring is available to land managers.

Question reference: S6W-21116

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 15 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessment it has undertaken regarding its plan to ban the use of snares and cable restraints.

A formal business impact assessment is not a requirement for measures introduced during the passage of a Bill through Parliament.

We invited the Rural and Environmental Land Management Group to submit a report on the use of snares by Scottish land management businesses. We considered this report alongside a report from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission. We concluded that other, more humane, methods of predator control such as shooting and trapping are available to land managers in most circumstances and that a ban on the use of snares would have a significant benefit for wildlife welfare with only a minor impact on some rural businesses.

Question reference: S6O-02540

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Highland Council to improve the school estate in the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency.

Question reference: S6W-18950

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, with a view to increasing the prominence of wildfire risk across all relevant sections.

NatureScot is charged with keeping the Access Code under constant review and is working with the National Access Forum to address access issues that do arise though providing new guidance, resources and advice.

The Access Code succeeds in fulfilling its statutory purpose of setting out the rights and responsibilities of land managers and those exercising access rights. The Access Code states for those exercising access rights, “Wherever possible, use a stove rather than light an open fire. If you do wish to light an open fire, keep it small, under control and supervised – fires that get out of control can cause major damage, for which you might be liable. Never light an open fire during prolonged dry periods or in areas such as forests, woods, farmland, or on peaty ground or near to buildings or in cultural heritage sites where damage can be easily caused. Heed all advice at times of high risk. Remove all traces of an open fire before you leave.”

It states for land managers, “At times of drought, work with your local authority (fire services) to inform people of the high risks involved.”

We are content that addressing challenges such as wildfires does not require modification of the Access Code, but better adherence to the Access Code including education and enforcement where necessary.

This spring has seen NatureScot’s strongest Access Code social media campaign to date, with 1.7 million social media impressions, of which 35,000 were specifically on fire messaging during the last four weeks. There have also been 128,000 plays of wild camping guidance videos.

Question reference: S6W-18952

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps were taken by Forestry and Land Scotland prior to the recent Cannich incident to prevent and reduce the risk of wildfire occurring.

During periods of dry weather when the fire risk is moderate to high, Forestry and Land Scotland posts alerts on their web site and social media to warn members of the public about the risks. This includes advice on campfires, stoves, and portable barbeques.

At popular visitor destinations, warning signs are erected on approaches to the site, including electronic signs on the route to Glenmore in the Cairngorms National Park.

Throughout the summer, FLS staff patrol the popular visitor destinations and monitor them for irresponsible and antisocial behaviour. When campfires are found, the people involved are advised to extinguish them as soon as possible and if necessary, the emergency services get involved.

Throughout the summer period, extra Seasonal Rangers are employed across the country to assist with the patrols around popular sites, particularly at weekends.

The Rangers work in partnership with other Public Bodies, neighbours, and partners in their area.

FLS has a Duty Officer on call 24/7 in each region throughout Scotland. The Duty Officers have support in place to be able to react at short notice to any incident, including wildfires.

FLS works closely in collaboration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and has run training events for staff regarding how to deal with campfires safely and avoid them becoming a wildfire.

Question reference: S6W-18953

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of utilising helicopters for wildfire suppression has been during the recent Cannich incident, and how much of this cost was met through public funds.

The total cost for the helicopters utilised at the Cannich fire is not known at this stage, as the incident is still ‘live’ with damping down activity ongoing, and the two suppliers (PDG Aviation Ltd and Skyhook Helicopters) have not yet submitted their respective invoices.

The final cost of the helicopter support will run to hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the majority of the cost being met by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).

FLS deployed the helicopters to the incident at the request and in liaison with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Cost allocation has not yet been discussed with neighbouring land owners/managers.

Question reference: S6W-18951

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether Forestry and Land Scotland had an integrated wildfire management plan in place prior to the recent major wildfire at Cannich, and, if not, whether an integrated wildfire management plan will now be developed.

Scotland’s national forests and land is sub-divided into five geographical management areas, each has a local incident response plan in place.

Each Regional incident response plan covers all potential incidents that may occur on Scotland’s national forests and land, inlcuding wild fires. The incident response plan is produced in collaboration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and other agencies / public bodies and is reviewed annually.

In addition, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has guidance in place for staff regarding how to manage wildfires on Scotland’s national forests and land. The guidace covers roles and responsibilities and how to work in collaboration with SFRS. FLS staff are trained to respond to incidents when required, including wild fires.

FLS produces guidance for staff on the use of helicopters for firefighting, covering how and when to use a helicopter and the roles and responsibilites of FLS / SFRS staff.

Question reference: S6W-17336

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) percentage and (b) area in km2 of Scotland’s inshore waters have any year-round spatial restrictions on (i) all commercial fishing, (ii) scallop dredging, (iii) nephrops trawling and (iv) creeling.

(i) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where all commercial fishing is currently restricted is 66 square kilometres or less than 1%.

(ii) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where scallop dredging is currently restricted is 8,068 square kilometres or 9%.

(iii) Nephrops trawling is included in measures restricting trawl, bottom trawl or mobile gear. The numbers presented below reflect this. The area of Scotland's inshore waters where trawling is currently restricted is 8,397 square kilometres or 9%.

(iv) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where creeling is currently restricted is 5,660 square kilometres or 6%.

For the answers above, Scottish inshore waters are classed as up to 12 Nautical Miles.

Question reference: S6W-17337

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) percentage and (b) area in km2 of Scotland’s inshore waters are designated as being within (i) Marine Protected Areas, (ii) Special Areas of Conservation, (iii) Special Protection Areas and (iv) Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

(i) The total area of Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within Scottish inshore waters is 17,954.3 square kilometres or 19.9%.

(ii) The total area of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) within Scottish inshore waters is 17,547.8 square kilometres or 19.4%.

(iii) The total area of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) within Scottish inshore waters is 13,409.8 square kilometres or 14.8%.

(iv) The total area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) within Scottish inshore waters is 531 square kilometres or 0.6%.

For the answers above Scottish inshore waters are classed as up to 12 Nautical Miles. The figures given above cannot be summed to get the total area of designated sites within Scotland's inshore waters as there will be double counting.

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