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The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government.

Zero Waste Scotland supported Glasgow City Council Education Services to run a food waste pilot across five schools in 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the cost of living crisis, operational priorities shifted towards cost of living support. As a result, the project was only partly delivered.

Zero Waste Scotland has undertaken analysis of data gathered and provided a food waste baseline and recommendations for reduction to these schools.

The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government. I refer the Member to Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) who may be able to provide this information. ZWS can be contacted via email at: [email protected] .

The report on Household food and drink waste in Scotland 2014 was published by Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS). ZWS does not have current plans to update the estimate set out in this report.

As set out in the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan (2019), the Food Redistribution Matchmaking Service was intended to support linking up redistributors, producers, retailers, and wholesalers to access food surpluses and redistribute.

The matchmaking service commenced in July 2020. However, the COVID-19 emergency response led to several similar informal networks and new collaborations, often supported by the local authority, to ensure food surplus was redistributed. For this reason, the matchmaking service provided by Zero Waste Scotland had low levels of engagement. Rather than developing an alternative service, Zero Waste Scotland directs organisations with a food surplus to the FareShare Surplus with Purpose scheme.

In 2021-22, Scottish Government’s direct funding of £200,000 to FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose supported 1,001 tonnes of surplus food from Scottish growers being redirected to communities across the UK. This made the equivalent of 2.3 million meals.

Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) supported this project which was led by Developing Young Workforce (DYW) Dundee & Angus, in partnership with the Food and Drink Federation Scotland and the Food & Drink Team at Abertay University.Despite schools being provided with resources and financial incentives to take part, there was low uptake, resulting in the project not being taken forward.

For further details of the guidance that ZWS issued to schools, I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24284 on 10 January 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at /chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers 

This detail is not available at sector-level. There was no remuneration for Food Waste champions. Between 2019 and 2022 (inclusive), 245 workshops were held with 2,952 attendees in total. This engagement would have contributed to recent food waste levels as outlined in the 2021 Scottish Food Waste Estimate, available at: . This shows, per capita, food waste between 2018 and 2021 in the food and drink manufacturing and other sectors roughly stayed the same.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and I have both held discussions with Police Scotland this year to discuss implementation of the new safeguards on XL Bully dogs. Further Ministerial engagement is planned. Scottish Government officials are also engaging with Police Scotland Local Policing Programme and local authorities on the issue of XL Bully dogs.

The Scottish Government has met and continues to meet with a range of stakeholders to help to inform our policy approach on XL Bully dogs and consider any issues or possible barriers to implementation in relation to the new safeguards on XL Bully dogs. We engage regularly with the Scottish SPCA, the Dogs Trust, The Dog Control Coalition (whose members include the British Veterinary Association), individual clinical dog behaviourists, the National Dog Warden Association, local authorities and Police Scotland.

We are taking a two-stage approach for the new safeguards in relation to XL Bully dogs, subject to Parliamentary approval.

The first stage will mean that from 23 February 2024, XL Bully owners must ensure their dogs are muzzled and on a lead when in a public place. Selling, gifting or exchanging XL Bully dogs will be prohibited. It will remain legal to own an XL Bully dog.

The second stage will mean that from 1 August 2024, it will be an offence to own a XL Bully dog without an exemption. Owners of an XL Bully dog will need to apply for an exemption on or before 31 July 2024 to be able to continue owning their dog.

The details of the exemption scheme such as the start date for applications, requirements to receive an exemption as well as arrangements for compensation for any XL Bully dog owners not wishing to retain their dogs, will be published in the coming weeks as legislation is brought forward.

In the meantime, helpful and practical support and guidance has been published on the Scottish Government website to ensure owners are made aware of how to comply with the new safeguards on XL Bully dogs, with further information to be published in the coming period: .

The British Veterinary Association are members of the Dog Control Coalition. I last met with the Dog Control Coalition to 8 February 2024 to discuss the new safeguards in relation to XL Bully dogs, and I committed to further regular engagement with the Dog Control Coalition going forward.

My officials also meet with the Dog Control Coalition on a regular basis.