1. National Islands Plan: annual report 2023

    The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2023 reporting year.

  2. Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill

    Supporting sustainable farming and crofting.

  3. Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill passed

    Legislation to improve protection for wildlife.

  4. Facilitating marine nature restoration through legislation: consultation

    We are consulting on legislative proposals which would enable Scottish Ministers to introduce a registration process for marine nature restoration projects, and apply Marine Conservation Orders to habitats and species undergoing restoration and standalone European marine sites.

  5. Pesticide Usage in Scotland: Rodenticides on Arable Farms

    This report presents the results of a survey of rodenticide use on arable farms in Scotland in 2022.

  6. Goose management policy review 2022

    Update on progress in delivering goose management policies. this sets out proposals to refresh policies for delivery of goose management over the next 5 to 10 years and highlights emerging issues that will require actions in the medium to longer term.

  7. Climate change - national adaptation plan 2024 to 2029: consultation

    The effects of climate change are already being felt by people in Scotland. That is why, as well as taking action to reduce emissions, we must also take steps to adapt to climate change. This consultation seeks your views on the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.

  8. Climate change - national adaptation plan 2024 to 2029: consultation - easy read

    The impacts of climate change are already being felt by people in Scotland. That is why, as well as taking action to reduce emissions, we must also take steps to adapt to climate change. This is an easy-read version of the consultation on the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.

  9. Am Plana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh: Sgrìobhainn Chochomhairleachaidh

    This consultation covers the content of the national Good Food Nation Plan. It seeks views on the Outcomes; ways of measuring progress; and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions. This is a Gaelic translation of the consultation.

  10. National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation - easy read

    Easy read version of our consultation on the national Good Food Nation Plan, which sets out the Government's goals for food and how we will achieve them.

  11. National Good Food Nation Plan

    The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes for a Good Food Nation; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of a wide range of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government.

  12. National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation

    We are consulting on the first national Good Food Nation Plan. We are seeking views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes, ways of measuring progress and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions.

  13. Managing deer for climate and nature: consultation

    We are consulting on proposals to modernise the legislation which governs deer management in Scotland and ensure it is fit for purpose in the context of the biodiversity and climate crises, alongside a small number of proposals concerned with farmed and kept deer.

  14. Green land investment in rural Scotland: social and economic impacts

    Outlines the findings of research into the range of potential social and economic impacts relating to new forms of green land investment in rural Scotland.

  15. Natural capital: economic benefits assessment

    Outlines new economic analysis that quantifies the likely economic impacts, measured as output and jobs created, from hypothetical cross-sector regional and national programmes of natural capital investment in Scotland.

  16. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill - use of snares and powers of Scottish SPCA inspectors: consultation analysis

    Findings from our consultation on the use of snares and powers of Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) inspectors.

  17. Understanding seabird behaviour at sea part 2: improved estimates of collision risk model parameters

    Report detailing research using GPS tags to track Scottish seabirds at sea.

  18. Animal welfare - Scottish Government activity: Scottish Animal Welfare Commission review

    Review of Scottish Government activity affecting the welfare of animals, as sentient beings, by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC).

  19. Out to Play - caring for our outdoor spaces

    Guidance to make the most of the outdoor spaces your early learning and childcare settings use and caring for the environment through embedding Learning for Sustainability. This guidance supports practitioners to provide high quality outdoor play experiences.

  20. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: use of snares and powers of Scottish SPCA inspectors - consultation

    This consultation is seeking views on topics the use of snares and cable restraints in Scotland and the powers of Scottish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals. It will inform the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.

  21. Environment - guiding principles consultation: statutory guidance – Parliamentary statement and analysis report

    As required by section 18(4) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 the Scottish Government has provided a parliamentary statement and an analysis report on the consultation on Scotland’s Guiding Principles on the Environment: Statutory Guidance.

  22. Sea fisheries - future catching policy: consultation analysis

    Analysis of public consultation on Future Catching Policy (FCP).

  23. Salmon fishing - proposed river gradings for 2024 season: consultation

    We are seeking views on the proposed river gradings for the 2024 salmon fishing season, which have been calculated from the annual assessment of the conservation status of wild Atlantic salmon in rivers across Scotland.

  24. Biodiversity duty report 2018 to 2020

    Report detailing how the Scottish Government furthered the conservation of biodiversity when exercising its functions, during the period 2018 to 2020 inclusive.

  25. Taskforce report on SSPCA powers: Scottish Government response

    Scottish Government response to the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) powers review - report by the Scottish SPCA taskforce.

  26. Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: powers review - report

    Report to the Minister for Environment and Land Reform on the review of Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) powers by the independent taskforce.

  27. New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation

    We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations in Scotland. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks.

  28. New National Parks - nomination process and draft appraisal framework: consultation

    We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks in Scotland.

  29. Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership - A fresh start

    This publication sets out the First Minister’s vision for Scotland and the outcomes he and his government aim to achieve by 2026.

  30. Wildlife crime in Scotland: annual report 2021

    The tenth wildlife crime annual report, with new data from the financial year 2020 to 2021.

  31. Wildlife management: consultation analysis

    This report presents the key themes to emerge from our consultation on wildlife management in Scotland 2022.

  32. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment

    Estimates the costs, benefits and risks of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. It also considers how the Bill adheres to the five principles of better regulation: transparency, accountability, proportionality, consistency and targeted where appropriate.

  33. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing screening

    Analysis of the potential impacts of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill on young children and young people up to the age of 18. It identifies whether a child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) is required.

  34. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment

    Results of the equalities impact assessment (EQIA) undertaken for the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.

  35. Environment Strategy for Scotland: second progress report

    The second annual report to Parliament on progress in developing the Environment Strategy for Scotland, as required under the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.

  36. Pesticide Usage in Scotland: Rodenticides on Grassland and Fodder Farms 2021

    This report presents the results of a survey of rodenticide use on grassland and fodder farms in Scotland in 2021.

  37. Science of salmon stocking: report

    The Science of Stocking report "scientific considerations in stocking policy development for river managers Scottish marine and freshwater science Vol 14 No 3" brings together the science behind the various considerations needed to be taken prior to and following stocking, with a view to aiding design of salmon management strategies that balance risks and benefits within a broad policy framework.

  38. Wild salmon strategy: implementation plan 2023 to 2028

    Plan setting out the actions to be taken over a five year period to 2028, to achieve the vision as outlined in the Scottish wild salmon strategy published in January 2022.

  39. Commission for the land-based learning review: report to Scottish Ministers

    The report produced by the Commission, a short term advisory group established to provide independent, evidence-based advice and submitted to Scottish Ministers on how to attract more people into land-based and aquaculture sectors by improving learning pathways.

  40. Highly Protected Marine Areas: policy framework

    Sets out our proposed definition and aims of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) and what this could mean for different activities taking place in Scottish waters. Also describes how we will account for socio-economic factors alongside ecological considerations and proposed new legal powers.

  41. Wildlife management: consultation

    We are consulting on proposals relating to: introducing a licensing scheme for grouse shooting; increased regulation for muirburn (the burning of vegetation to maintain moorland); banning the use of glue traps; and increased regulation of other wildlife traps.

  42. Scottish Natural Capital Accounts 2022

    This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.

  43. Wildlife crime in Scotland: 2020 annual report

    The ninth wildlife crime annual report, with new data from the financial year 2019 to 2020.

  44. Moorland grouse - Flubendazole use for parasitic worm control: preliminary environmental assessment

    A report assessing the potential impact on the wider environment of the use of flubendazole in medicated grit.

  45. Grouse Moor Management Group recommendations: Scottish Government response

    The Scottish Government's response to the independent Grouse Moor Management Group’s report (the ‘Werritty Review’).

  46. Driven grouse moors - socioeconomic and biodiversity impacts: summary report

    A summary report of findings from research into socioeconomic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors and the employment rights of gamekeepers

  47. Use of Fixed Penalty Notices for wildlife offences in Scotland: consultation analysis

    Report analysing responses to the 2019 to 2020 targeted stakeholder consultation on the use of Fixed Penalty Notices for wildlife offences.

  48. Deer management review

    Independent recommendations published.

  49. Grouse moor management

    Licensing option under consideration.

  50. Beavers given protected status

    Mitigation measures introduced for farms.

  51. Plans to maximise venison in domestic and international markets

    Strategic vision outlines sector growth to 2030.

  52. Search for salmon

    New research to improve monitoring of wild salmon stocks.

  53. Supporting Scottish salmon

    New initiative to improve health of wild salmon.

  54. DNA breakthrough for wildlife crime

    Recovery of human DNA to help solve bird of prey offences.

  55. Annual wildlife crime report

    Offence numbers down on previous year.

  56. Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group: report

    Report from the review group commissioned by Scottish Government to examine whether the penalties for wildlife crimes were adequate and a deterrent.

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