Douglas Ross

I spoke with the Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations, Michael Russell MSP, on 11 April to update him on the European Council meeting on 10 April and next steps. In addition, the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations meets regularly to discuss matters relating to our withdrawal and future relationship with the European Union.

I continue to hold constructive conversations with my counterparts in the devolved administrations on how to deliver a new wave of devolution as the UK departs the EU. The vast majority of powers in otherwise devolved areas - returning from Brussels - will now flow directly and immediately to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, bypassing Westminster entirely. JMC(EN) most recently discussed progress on 2 May.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

Through the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW), the Government ensures that the lowest paid in our society are fairly rewarded for their work. April 2019’s increase to the NLW will see nearly 1.8 million workers in the UK receive a 4.9% pay rise. In Scotland, 128,000 workers will directly benefit from this increase in the NLW. A full-time worker on the NLW will now be more than £2,750 better off over the year compared to when it was first announced in 2015.

The most recent available data relates to 2018, when there were an estimated 2,400 workers in Moray who were on the NLW or NMW.

The Scottish Whisky industry is recognised the world over for its high quality.

VisitBritain(VB) work to promote the UK as a tourist destination, and have used Scotch whiskey to promote Scotland in particular. VB regularly host educational trips which include distilleries across Scotland, host several distilleries at their flagship promotional event ExploreGB and offer Whiskey tours through the VB online shop. In addition to this, VB work in partnership with Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for International Trade to create food and drink hubs across the UK which encourage visitors to try our produce and commission research into food and drink as a draw for tourists.

Defra is aware of the concerns of GB potato growers about the Health and Safety Executives’ (HSE) proposed decision to withdraw approval of mancozeb. GB pesticides legislation requires that decisions on active substances are solely based on careful scientific assessment of risks, to provide a high level of protection for people and the environment.

HSE has reviewed the approval of mancozeb. In light of new scientific and technical information received, HSE has concluded that the active substance no longer satisfies the approval criteria. The review concluded that mancozeb has endocrine disrupting properties for humans and non-target organisms. In addition, non-dietary exposure exceeded the reference levels. HSE has therefore proposed to withdraw approval of mancozeb in GB. The withdrawal of products containing mancozeb will not be immediate; we expect HSE to set an 18-month grace period (six months for sale and supply, and 12 months after that for storage, disposal and use) to allow existing stocks in the supply chain to be used up.

Under certain circumstances, set out in Article 53 of Assimilated Regulation 1107/2009, it is possible to grant emergency authorisation for the placing on the market of a pesticide containing an active substance that is not approved. There must be special circumstances where limited and controlled use is necessary because of a danger to crops, other plants or the environment, including human or animal health, that cannot be contained by any other reasonable means.

We are not aware of any HSE proposal to withdraw any other multi-site fungicide.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach that carefully considers all available plant protection methods and keeps the use of pesticides to levels that are ecologically and economically justified. IPM lies at the heart of our approach to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides and is a key tool for businesses facing the challenges of pesticide resistance, removal of pesticides from the market, and changing pest pressures due to climate change. Within the National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (NAP) we will set out our policies to increase the uptake of IPM by farmers, growers, amenity managers and amateur gardeners.

Having an IPM approach can reduce the risks associated with pesticides, combat pesticide resistance, and support sustainable agricultural productivity. IPM aims to diversify crop protection and reduce reliance on the use of chemical pesticides by making use of lower risk alternatives and promoting natural processes. For example, creating habitats for natural predators of plant pests, or using crop rotations to break pest, weed and disease cycles. When alternative methods are ineffective or unavailable, IPM also aims to optimise and minimise the use of chemical pesticides through targeted and precise application.

We have recently commissioned a package of research projects that will bring together scientific evidence underpinning IPM and to look at ways of further encouraging its uptake. This work will support farmers’ access to the most effective IPM tools available and ensure that we understand changing trends in pest threats across the UK.

Defra is also a partner in the European Research Area Network (ERA-Net) Co-Fund on Sustainable Crop Production (SusCrop). This research network aims to enhance cooperation and coordination of different national and regional research programmes focussing on agriculture and climate change, sustainable farming systems and biodiversity, sustainable water management, resource efficiency and resilience in the food chain. It also seeks to increase productivity through technological innovation.

Projects within SusCrop ERA-Net include: ‘Eco-friendly solutions for the integrated management of late and early blight of potatoes (ECOSOL)’ which aims to Identify Effective Biological Control Agents and Plant Resistance Inducers for the Control of Potato Late Blight in the field.

Government support of the Scotch Whisky industry is through both government policy and engagement with the industry, notably the Scotch Whisky Association.

We fully recognise the added value given to Scotch Whisky by its registration as a Geographical Indication (GI). The EU (Withdrawal) Act and legislation made under it will establish in domestic law the framework of rules that govern the EU GI scheme for spirit drinks; this will ensure that all UK GIs, including Scotch Whisky, enjoy continued protection in the UK after we leave.

Through engaging closely with the Scotch Whisky Association my officials have secured some important amendments to the proposed replacement EU Spirit Drinks Regulation and will continue to work closely with the Association on this.

The government is aware of the contribution that the Scotch Whisky industry makes to the economy and employment. Her Majesty’s Treasury are responsible for duty on alcoholic beverages and the Chancellor keeps all taxes under review at fiscal events. The government is committed to supporting the Scotch Whisky industry. The freeze in spirits duty announced in November 2017 means a bottle of Scotch is 24p cheaper than had it risen by inflation, and the average tax charged on a bottle of Scotch in 2018 is estimated to be £1.15 lower than it otherwise would have been since ending the spirits duty escalator in 2014.

In respect of international trade priorities, through the Food is GREAT campaign, we will continue profiling Scotch Whisky overseas and engaging with the industry.

Using powers under the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, we will create UK geographical indication (GI) schemes for wines, aromatised wines, spirits, and agricultural products and foodstuffs. This will provide UK protection for UK GIs - including Scotch Whisky - when we leave the EU and ensure that the UK fulfils its WTO TRIPS obligations.

Negotiations on GIs with the EU are continuing and our aim is that all current UK GIs will continue to be protected by the EU’s GI schemes after we leave the EU.

The UK aspects of the process to implement the devolution of the British Transport Police’s functions in Scotland to Police Scotland, including pensions issues is led by the Department for Transport.

The Department for Transport has been working closely with Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders, including employee representative organisations, to develop the pension’s proposal for the proposed transfer of the Scottish Division of British Transport Police. This has been principally through the Joint Programme Board, which has had an extensive process of engagement with affected stakeholders, including representatives of retired officers.

The key principles of the pension transfer has always been that pensions will be transferred on an “as is” basis, meaning that affected officers and staff will transfer with their existing terms and conditions intact. Pensions payable to retired officers will continue to be administered by the RPMI and will be paid in full.

However, the Scottish Government announced on 27 August 2018 that it has decided to consider other options to deliver the devolution of railway policing. The UK Government will continue to play an important part in this process to ensure that UK interests are properly reflected. Until this process has been concluded the details around any transfer arrangements, including pensions, will not be further progressed as the Scottish Government consider the approach to be adopted. In doing so, the Scottish Government has been clear that it will engage with all affected stakeholders.

The UK aspects of the process to implement the devolution of the British Transport Police’s functions in Scotland to Police Scotland, including pensions issues is led by the Department for Transport.

The Department for Transport has been working closely with Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders, including employee representative organisations, to develop the pension’s proposal for the proposed transfer of the Scottish Division of British Transport Police. This has been principally through the Joint Programme Board, which has had an extensive process of engagement with affected stakeholders, including representatives of retired officers.

The key principles of the pension transfer has always been that pensions will be transferred on an “as is” basis, meaning that affected officers and staff will transfer with their existing terms and conditions intact. Pensions payable to retired officers will continue to be administered by the RPMI and will be paid in full.

However, the Scottish Government announced on 27 August 2018 that it has decided to consider other options to deliver the devolution of railway policing. The UK Government will continue to play an important part in this process to ensure that UK interests are properly reflected. Until this process has been concluded the details around any transfer arrangements, including pensions, will not be further progressed as the Scottish Government consider the approach to be adopted. In doing so, the Scottish Government has been clear that it will engage with all affected stakeholders.

The UK aspects of the process to implement the devolution of the British Transport Police’s functions in Scotland to Police Scotland, including pensions issues is led by the Department for Transport.

The Department for Transport has been working closely with Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders, including employee representative organisations, to develop the pension’s proposal for the proposed transfer of the Scottish Division of British Transport Police. This has been principally through the Joint Programme Board, which has had an extensive process of engagement with affected stakeholders, including representatives of retired officers.

The key principles of the pension transfer has always been that pensions will be transferred on an “as is” basis, meaning that affected officers and staff will transfer with their existing terms and conditions intact. Pensions payable to retired officers will continue to be administered by the RPMI and will be paid in full.

However, the Scottish Government announced on 27 August 2018 that it has decided to consider other options to deliver the devolution of railway policing. The UK Government will continue to play an important part in this process to ensure that UK interests are properly reflected. Until this process has been concluded the details around any transfer arrangements, including pensions, will not be further progressed as the Scottish Government consider the approach to be adopted. In doing so, the Scottish Government has been clear that it will engage with all affected stakeholders.

The UK aspects of the process to implement the devolution of the British Transport Police’s functions in Scotland to Police Scotland, including pensions issues is led by the Department for Transport.

The Department for Transport has been working closely with Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders, including employee representative organisations, to develop the pension’s proposal for the proposed transfer of the Scottish Division of British Transport Police. This has been principally through the Joint Programme Board, which has had an extensive process of engagement with affected stakeholders, including representatives of retired officers.

The key principles of the pension transfer has always been that pensions will be transferred on an “as is” basis, meaning that affected officers and staff will transfer with their existing terms and conditions intact. Pensions payable to retired officers will continue to be administered by the RPMI and will be paid in full.

However, the Scottish Government announced on 27 August 2018 that it has decided to consider other options to deliver the devolution of railway policing. The UK Government will continue to play an important part in this process to ensure that UK interests are properly reflected. Until this process has been concluded the details around any transfer arrangements, including pensions, will not be further progressed as the Scottish Government consider the approach to be adopted. In doing so, the Scottish Government has been clear that it will engage with all affected stakeholders.

The Department has been working closely with Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders, including employee organisations, to develop the pension’s proposal for the proposed transfer of the Scottish Division of British Transport Police. This has been principally through the Joint Programme Board, which has had an extensive process of engagement with affected stakeholders, including representatives of retired officers.

The key principles of the pension transfer has always been that pensions will be transferred on an “as is” basis, meaning that affected officers and staff will transfer with their existing terms and conditions intact. Pensions payable to retired officers will continue to be administered by RPMI and will be paid in full.

However, the Scottish Government announced on 27 August 2018 that it has decided to consider other options to deliver the devolution of railway policing. The UK Government will continue to play an important part in this process to ensure that UK interests are properly reflected. Until this process has been concluded the details around any transfer arrangements, including pensions, will not be further progressed as the Scottish Government consider the approach to be adopted. In doing so, the Scottish Government has been clear that it will engage with all affected stakeholders.