Finlay Carson: As we know, problem drinking is an issue and, sadly, Scotland has an unenviable reputation across the world, as alcohol is embedded right in the heart of our culture. There are no signs of that situation changing; indeed, more than four in 10 non-drinkers perceive that others think that they are odd for not drinking. The situation affects young and old, rich and poor, and our towns and cities...
Finlay Carson: Part of the purpose of this instrument is to permit the use of night sights for the taking or killing of deer. The objective is to increase the tools that are available to land managers when undertaking deer management by supporting the use of a wider range of firearms that might be more readily available to those who are managing land for a range of purposes and to support culling efforts at...
Finlay Carson: Will John Swinney give way?
Finlay Carson: On policy certainty, it is not long since Chris Stark of the Climate Change Committee said that Scotland’s targets were “in danger of becoming meaningless”. He has said that he is worried that we are seeing the collective impact of what we might call “magical thinking” by the Scottish Government. We have heard lots of tit for tat, which he has also warned against. He said that we...
Finlay Carson: In my constituency, the hands off our hills campaign has managed to attract 1,000 members in less than a week, in response to plans to build a huge wind farm right in the middle of one of our most scenic areas. Does the member agree that the new SNP-Green national planning framework 4 appears to give carte blanche to wind farm developers and to override the views of communities?
Finlay Carson: You say that you are making good progress, but you have not even reached 50 per cent of your target that was set out in 2018. Is that good progress?
Finlay Carson: We all recognise the growing importance and urgency of appropriately addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency. A recent report by the James Hutton Institute and NatureScot warned that considerable change is needed to stop nature loss here in Scotland. It points to factors that are indirectly contributing to that nature loss, which include our culture, education, economy, political...
Finlay Carson: I am afraid that I do not have enough time. A number of reasons for the shortfall have been cited, including a lack of capacity among the contractors that are needed to carry out the work and delays in planning processes. The Government also stated that “limited demand for restoration from landowners and managers” was a problem. Once again, the Scottish Government had ambitious plans but...
Finlay Carson: Will the First Minister update the chamber on when we should expect to see the published update to the climate change plan?
Finlay Carson: Over decades, precision crop breeding has led to modern varieties of cereal crops delivering higher yields and more resistance to a wide range of environmental stresses. However, the development of those new varieties takes time. With clear signs that the European Union will change its position on gene editing, when will the Scottish Government commit to a policy that will allow our...
Finlay Carson: Would Alasdair Allan not agree that as part of the balance, we need sustainable economic growth in those areas to ensure that there are jobs? Some of those jobs will depend on tourism, so we actually need tourists coming. We need to get the balance right. There should be an emphasis on providing new social housing and not necessarily reducing the number of tourists that come to the islands or...
Finlay Carson: What is the cabinet secretary doing to protect the critical mass of beef production in Scotland?
Finlay Carson: Will the member take an intervention?
Finlay Carson: I recognise the world-renowned food and drink producers across Scotland. As we have heard, my constituency boasts amazing artisan cheese and ice-cream makers, and famous butchers in Castle Douglas—not to forget the oyster festival in Stranraer, which takes place this weekend and which I, too, look forward to attending. I have listened intently to the debate. The one thing that we have yet...
Finlay Carson: Absolutely—I thank Daniel Johnson for his helpful intervention. It is critical to know how much food we need to produce and then to look at how much land we need to produce that food on. As the member said, we do not have an infinite amount of land and we have to make important decisions about that, but the position is still unclear. We need clear direction on farm policies, including...
Finlay Carson: 2. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the second strategic transport projects review in relation to improving the A75. (S6O-02473)
Finlay Carson: In a television interview on “Representing Border” earlier this week, the First Minister gave a categorical assurance that the A75 and the A77 will get vital improvements. We have had such promises before. Indeed, in January this year, Michael Matheson said that the STPR2 timetable would be published in spring. However, with 38 out of the 45 recommendations either started or completed, we...
Finlay Carson: I was minded to welcome the apparent scrapping of HPMAs, but the statement is no more than a last-minute effort to pacify the rebels on the Government’s back benches as they head off on their summer holidays. The statement has continued the mention of the unresearched and arbitrary 10 per cent target. Will the minister apologise to our fishers and coastal communities for the worry and...
Finlay Carson: 6. To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to “support the constitutional protection of the specific interests and needs of island communities”, as outlined in its latest “Building a New Scotland” paper. (S6O-02429)
Finlay Carson: Does the minister not agree that it is an absolute insult for him to say that he will protect the interests of island communities, given his track record in government? Islanders have been forced to write to the Minister for Transport after Caledonian MacBrayne’s failing ferry service has cost businesses on two islands almost £1.5 million, which has prompted islanders to stage a series of...
