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I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20927 on 19 September 2023. 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 .

The Scottish Government is committed to doubling the land area devoted to organic farming by 2026 and supporting the growth of organic food production in Scotland, in recognition of the benefits of nature-friendly farming practices. The Scottish Government is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to Net Zero.

Organic farming is a holistic approach and is not mutually exclusive with other practices such as agroforestry, for example. Several practices that may be undertaken through an organic approach can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as reduced use of synthetic fertilisers.

The Scottish Government commissioned research in 2022, which included an exploration of organic practices. This linked these practices to a potential reduction in GHG emissions at farm-level. Evidence gaps remain on the impact on overall emissions, as these practices are likely to result in lower yields while increasing farm resilience and contributing to yield stability.

The study notes that any impacts of organic farming practices on greenhouse gas emissions and Scotland’s reliance on food imports are highly reliant on factors such as geographical location, the farming system, and the time since the transition from conventional to organic production. Therefore, the impact on emissions and food imports is influenced by several factors. We have commissioned further research on this issue to explore it in greater depth.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20927 on 19 September 2023. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-20927 on 19 September 2023. 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 .

An applicant is expected to undertake pre application consultation prior to submission of an Electricity Act application for construction of a battery storage development. Such pre application allows local communities to have their say at an early stage, and the Scottish Ministers expect that a submitted application includes a report on how communities’ views have been taken into account through this process.

An application submitted for consideration by the Scottish Ministers must provide assessment of the potential impacts on the receiving environment and on local amenity and infrastructure. A public consultation is held, and members of the public are invited to make representations on the submitted application. Community councils in the vicinity of the proposal are consulted for their views on the potential impacts.

The application information, consultation responses and representations from members of the public are considered carefully before any decision is made on an application.

A short update paper has recently been provided to the Women’s Health Plan Implementation Programme Board. The ‘Women’s Health Plan: Interim Progress Update’ describes further progress made since the Report on Progress, which was published in January 2023.

The report can be accessed here:

Additionally, Women’s Health Champion Professor Anna Glasier publishes a quarterly blog on her progress which can be found here:

The Women’s Health Plan Implementation Programme Board is the decision making body responsible for the delivery of the Women’s Health Plan programme. The Board provides strategic oversight of the programme and ensures that the actions outlined in the Plan are implemented across the country.

The appointment of a Women’s Health Lead in every NHS Board is important to driving change and ensuring women’s health is appropriately prioritised.

The appointment of Women’s Health Leads is an important cross cutting action in the Women’s Health Plan. It is for NHS Boards to identify their women’s health leads according to local need and priority and with reference to the aims set out in the Plan.

On 22 June 2023, the Scottish Government published the which details the findings of this extended engagement.

A consultation on the Bill’s proposals ran from 29 August 2022 to 5 December 22, where a wide range of views were received. On 22 June 2023, the Scottish Government published the which details the findings of this extended engagement.

As is convention, following consultation on proposed legislation, Ministers are considering the views received to inform a new Agriculture Bill which will be introduced in 2023. In turn, Parliament will consider the proposals and provide further comment on draft proposals, accordingly.