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A survey of the Tay and Earn undertaken in 2012 estimated that there were 38-39 groups of beavers present in the Tay catchment area, equating to approximately 146 individual beavers. This survey has been repeated in 2017, the results of which it is expected will be available early in 2018.

The survey methods used in the 2017 survey were the same as in 2012 to allow comparison. The 2017 survey was not a comprehensive survey of the entire catchment as this would have been prohibitively expensive. Rather, it relied on extending the search beyond the locations identified in 2012 and also surveying additional areas where beavers had been reported since 2012. Just prior to the 2017 survey, SNH requested records of beaver presence from land managers to further inform the survey area.

Over the next 3 years the following works will be undertaken on the Erskine Bridge, subject to budget provision and competing priorities:

• Installation of central reserve manholes to improve the safety and accessibility of the bridge deck box girder.

• Replacement of the life expired south abutment bridge bearings.

• Completion of the inspection and painting of the main cables.

• Completion of planned re-tensioning of main cables.

• Commence the repainting of bridge superstructure and main towers.

• Miscellaneous isolated deck surfacing repairs, as required

• Potential dehumidification system installation to the main cables.

• Main tower top inspections and other routine maintenance.

Over the next 3 years the traffic management associated with the above works required is as follows:

• The above planned maintenance works shall be undertaken during overnight, off-peak and weekend lane closures.

• There will be no planned peak-time lane closures.

• Emergency services will be permitted through any planned closures.

• Where possible works will be combined under any planned closures.

• The south abutment bearing replacement work will require the complete closure of the bridge overnight over 3 weekends commencing in February 2018.

• Full consultation will take place with stakeholders prior to any works being undertaken.

• Where work cannot be undertaken overnight for safety reasons work will be undertaken utilising weekend lane closures or off-peak lane closures. No peak-time closures are planned thus avoiding serious disruption to commuter traffic.

Scottish Government requires that fish farms submit information on treatments administered to farmed fish for which they are in withdrawal, in addition to site disease information and mortality rates, in order to inform the fish health inspectorate of fish health at the time of escape. Scottish Government is considering adapting its current publication system to include this information.

The risk to the public of consuming treated escaped farmed salmon is negligible.

The Scottish Government has met with a number of stakeholders regarding the regulation of electronic dog training collars. These include the Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club; Dogs Trust; the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association.

Of the two businesses subject to fixed monetary penalties, one was inspected on 18 May 2017 and found to be compliant at that time.

The second business was scheduled for re-inspection on 17 November 2017 and its compliance status will be advised when the information is available.

The minimum criteria businesses must meet to be considered "fully compliant" with the duty are to:

• take all reasonable steps to ensure the separate collection of dry recyclable waste, and/or

• take all reasonable steps to ensure the separate collection of food waste produced by the food business (where a rural exemption is not applicable).

As defined in amendments made by the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 to Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, this can be summarised as:

• Segregating all target dry recyclables (plastics, metal, glass, paper & cardboard) generated. Businesses will be expected to have and use an internal material segregation system that matches an external recycling collection service from an authorised provider. Recyclables should be free of contamination, e.g. glass should be separately collected from paper and cardboard.

• SEPA’s Food Waste Management Guidance sets out the expectations across the food waste supply chain in order to achieve high quality recycling. Only food waste managed in accordance with this guidance will fulfil the waste acceptance permit condition at food waste treatment facilities. .

• All businesses must be compliant with duty of care for waste as set out in the Scottish Government's statutory .

The Scottish Government has no position on those investigating actual or potential animal welfare crime publishing information of these activities, other than to advise them strongly to remain within the applicable law, notably the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Such organisations may publish information as they see fit, although they are unlikely to do so if this will prejudice investigations or potential prosecutions. Organisations whose investigations have resulted in a successful prosecution often publicise the decision of the Courts.

The Scottish Government does not maintain a central register of reports as there is no single definition of a report. We have not conducted a review of reports published or unpublished. We have a commitment to open government including pro-active publication where possible. Scottish Government also follows the Model Publication Scheme developed and approved by the Scottish Information Commissioner.

I have asked Zero Waste Scotland's Chief Executive to contact the Member to provide the information requested.

The Scottish Government has not commissioned any research regarding the potential effects of increased circular economic activity on the labour market. Our circular economy strategy identifies the potential economic and environmental opportunities underpinning the prioritisation of our actions. We would expect the employment benefits of these interventions to become clearer as implementation proceeds.