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The Scottish Government follows the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Guidance in the planning of vaccine delivery. This evidence-based guidance advises that the single greatest risk of mortality from COVID-19 is increasing age, and that the risk increases exponentially with age.

The Scottish Government greatly values the work of Scotland’s police officers and staff in keeping communities safe throughout this pandemic. They have been at the frontline of this public health response, and we are so grateful for the work they have undertaken.

Decisions to prioritise one population group over another are not taken lightly, nor are they straightforward. That is why our prioritisation decisions are guided by the independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

We are adhering to the priority list devised by the JCVI which has been designed to target those at greatest risk from COVID-19 and is estimated to address over 90 per cent of preventable mortality from the virus in Scotland. This is the priority rollout all nations of the UK are working towards and it is important that we adhere to these lists in order to avoid more lives being lost.

The Scottish Government will consider the nature of any duty on UK Government Ministers that may arise as a result of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill and recommendations of the Scottish Animal Welfare Committee before making any plans in this area.

The Scottish Government is currently considering the recommendations of the farmer-led groups set up in the last parliament concerning future financial support for farmers. These included recommendations to improve animal health and welfare. The Scottish government is committed to working with farmers, crofters and others as we take this work forward.

The Scottish Government takes the welfare of all animals very seriously; and provision is made for the keepers of all animals to provide for their welfare under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

The Scottish Government is aware of calls for the phasing out of enriched cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for sows across Europe and will consider these carefully.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W–35895 on 19 March 2021. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at .

Marine Scotland has not granted any EPS licences for the use of ADDs or ASDs at fish farms. Marine Scotland does not hold information on whether or how many ADDs or ASDs are currently operating at fish farms. Marine Scotland will be undertaking an assurance process to verify that fish farms are complying with the requirements of the Habitats Regulations. This process is not necessarily governed by where farms are in the production cycle or the type of nets used.

The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation announced on 1 March that the sector is no longer using ADDs that "may be considered to cause disturbance to cetaceans". We welcome the steps taken by the aquaculture industry to remove ADDs and have reminded them of their obligations in relation to European Protected Species.

A licence can only be granted provided that it meets three tests, including that there must be no satisfactory alternative. Due consideration will be given to any European Protected Species licence applications that are submitted on the merits of each individual case and taking account of all relevant factors. It would be inappropriate to pre-determine any part of this process.

The Götz et al. (2020) study is available in the public domain, titled “The startle reflex in echolocating odontocetes: basic physiology and practical implications”, and the details requested can be found there.

I refer to the response to S5W-36099 on 23 March 2021 regarding sound pressure levels of devices.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at

The Government applies the threshold of 120 dB re 1 µPa (rms) for the onset of potential disturbance for non-impulsive sounds.

The sound pressure levels of the different Acoustic Deterrent Devices and Acoustic Startle Devices are available from the device manufacturers.

The Scottish Government considers that making EPS licence applications by fish farms available publicly after a determination has been made is compliant with the Aarhus Convention. The Convention does not impose an obligation to involve the public in all decisions concerning activities which have the potential to harm the environment. Rather, the Convention applies in specific circumstances, to specific categories of activities.

Our decision to publish EPS licence applications has been made to promote openness and transparency in line with the Nolan Principles of Public Life.