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Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has had extensive and wide ranging discussions with numerous beaver specialists and managers, country agency staff and academics over the 21 years since it started investigating beaver reintroduction issues.

This has resulted in the development of a wide network of specialists from across North America and Europe that the Scottish Government can now draw on for advice. Much of the advice provided so far has been incorporated within a range of publications produced by SNH, which can be viewed at . This includes the substantial ‘Beavers in Scotland’ report published by SNH in 2015.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Scottish Natural Heritage, and other partners are presently developing a proposal to undertake a full census of breeding seabirds. In addition, the JNCC are developing a UK wide marine biodiversity monitoring strategy for consideration by the Scottish Government and other UK administrations. This will include the monitoring of marine birds.

The Scottish Government is taking action on improving the condition of Scotland’s Native Woodlands including Caledonian woodland through its commitments in the Scottish Biodiversity 2020 Route Map. There is not a specific target or stated optimum level of native Caledonian woodland restoration.

Identification of communities with no or inadequate public transport in the West of Scotland is under the responsibility of the local authorities and SPT who, through their Regional Transport Strategy, must take account of the differing strategic needs in the area and look opportunities to make improvements.

The Scottish Government has discussed animal welfare with stakeholder organisations throughout 2016, but there have been no specific discussions on the gifting of animals at Christmas. Independent animal charities, such as the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Dogs Trust, have issued a seasonal reminder that pets are not suitable gifts.

The Scottish Government endorses the view that owning an animal entails a lifetime welfare commitment and that all animals should go to permanent, loving homes.

While the Scottish Government recognises the important contribution our existing National Parks make to tourism, conservation and the wider Scottish economy, any new national parks would incur significant costs. At a time of pressures on public finances, we do not believe that it is right to raise expectations regarding the designation of new national parks. We will therefore continue to focus our support on our existing Parks so that they can continue their track record of success.

The ownership and management of Scotland's network of National Nature Reserves (NNRs) is shared between a range of public, third sector and private interests and there is no centrally-held record of funding.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is directly involved in the management of 30 of Scotland’s 41 NNRs. Of these, SNH is the sole manager of 24 NNRs and manages 6 in partnership with an None Governmental Organisations (NGO) and/or a public body or private landowner. NGOs and other public bodies manage 11 NNRs.

SNH does not hold information on its expenditure on NNRs but its overall land management expenditure (the majority of which is on NNRs) is provided in the following table.

Approved funding for NNRs from Forestry Commission Scotland forestry grants in each of the last five years is provided in the following table.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

The possible need for licensing of animal rehoming agencies will be considered as part of an ongoing review of pet welfare. The Scottish Government has already held a number of meetings with stakeholders around that ongoing review; and will invite further participation from them.

The Scottish Government supports the action being taken by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Police Scotland and local citizens regarding the illegal introduction to Scotland of puppies. Scottish Government officials have been attending meetings of the group convened in Cairnryan to discuss the issues with all of these bodies and to report back to Scottish Ministers.