S6W-23993

Asked by: Burnett, Alexander (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Aberdeenshire West)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what public awareness campaigns it has undertaken in the last 10 years to ensure that recreational activities, such as paddle boarding, kayaking, cycling, fishing and camping, do not impact on the biodiversity of National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Answered by Slater, Lorna - Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity

Each year, NatureScot undertakes activity to promote the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) with specific campaigns across a range of topics and settings, including National Nature Reserves. This work has been complemented in recent years by a greater co-ordination of messaging through the visitor management strategy led by VisitScotland: https://www.visitscotland.org/about-us/what-we-do/working-in-partnership/visitor-management-plan . In 2023, NatureScot also refreshed the SOAC education resources for schools and young people.

Wildlife disturbance is a key element of current campaign activity with a range of key messages promoted to support the recently revised guidance prepared by the National Access Forum on “Managing public access in areas of wildlife sensitivity in Scotland” : https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/doc/guidance-managing-public-access-areas-wildlife-sensitivity-scotland .

Social media plays an increasingly significant part of NatureScot’s campaign work, with the SOAC campaign in spring 2023 delivering 1.7 million social media impressions and 51,000 plays of videos on wildlife disturbance at Forvie National Nature Reserve. NatureScot also work closely to align and promote messages with a range of governing bodies for these activities. They have contributed funding to the Ramblers #RespectProtectEnjoy films which are aimed at young people, with key messages on leaving no trace, avoiding lighting fires and wildlife disturbance. These films have delivered over 8.6 million impressions and 161,000 full viewings.

S6W-22329

Asked by: Gallacher, Meghan (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - Central Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported increase in the number of dog attacks on (a) other dogs and animals and (b) people, and what plans it has to review and amend the relevant legislation.

Answered by Brown, Siobhian - Minister for Victims and Community Safety

Further to the information provided in S6W-21589 on 5 October 2023, the Scottish Government continues to regularly assess the management information provided by health boards to Public Health Scotland that provides information on dog bites.

The Scottish Government is committed to working with justice agencies and local authorities, and other key stakeholders, to keep communities and people safe from irresponsible dog owners and out of control dogs. A series of Scottish Government engagement events is underway with key enforcement interests in different parts of Scotland to assess how best legislation can be used to help address dog control issues.

A Scottish Government led Short Life Working Group has undertaken a review of the Dangerous Dog Act 1991, with a wide range of views offered. The Scottish Government will use this review to help determine what may be appropriate as next steps. Education is a is key factor in prevention of livestock worrying incidents. Messaging is promoted widely on social media by NatureScot and The Scottish Outdoor Access Code also sets out how to exercise access rights responsibly when walking dogs: https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/dog-walking

To assist with addressing the issue of dog attacks on animals the Scottish Government supported the introduction of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, which gained Royal Assent on 5 May 2021 and came into force on 5 November 2021, as being in accordance with the advice on responsible behaviour for people walking dogs contained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Under this law owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or face a prison sentence of up to 12 months.

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

Mentions:
1: Fairlie, Jim (SNP - Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) We continue to consider education a key factor in reducing the number of incidents. - Speech Link
2: Fairlie, Jim (SNP - Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) The Scottish Government firmly believes that education is key. - Speech Link
3: Fairlie, Jim (SNP - Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) responsible dog walking is generating some 3 million impressions of and 15,000 visits to the Scottish outdoor - Speech Link
4: Minto, Jenni (SNP - Argyll and Bute) Delivery is under way on work on improving diabetes education, prevention of foot ulceration, in-patient - Speech Link