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From YouTube: Topical Questions - 23 October 2018
Description
www.parliament.scot
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Topical Questions
1. To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can provide that it has taken all required steps to protect consumers, food safety and the farming industry, following the discovery of BSE on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
2. To ask the Scottish Government what investment is planned for the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful.
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A
B
Can
I
thank
the
topical
question
just
before
I
ask
my
question:
can
I
firstly
extend
my
sympathy
to
the
farmers,
tom
farmer,
Thomas
Jackson
and
his
family?
Secondly,
I'd
like
to
thank
the
minister
and
her
team
for
their
speedy
response
and
openness
to
sharing
information,
and
thirdly,
I
know
my
register
of
interests
regarding
farming
and
with
that
can
I
ask
the
Scottish
Government
what
assurances
it
can
provide
that
it
has
taken
all
required
steps
to
protect
consumers,
food
safety
and
the
farming
industry
following
the
discovery
of
BSE
on
a
farm
in
have
a
teacher.
Mr.
C
Thank
the
member
for
his
for
his
opening
remarks.
There
now
clearly
is
extremely
disappointing
to
have
a
confirmed
case
of
BSE
in
Scotland.
However,
account
of
eight
fuel
assurances
that
old
acquired
steps
have
been
taken
to
protect
consumers
to
protect
food
safety
and
the
farming
and
food
sectors.
Now
we
have
put
in
place
a
coordinated
response
which
has
been
led
by
Scotland's
chief
veterinary
officer
and
the
animal
health
and
welfare
team
in
the
Scottish
Government.
C
The
response
has
involved
to
the
animal
and
plant
health
agency
Food
Standards
Scotland
and
the
Health
Protection
Scotland
and
I
conveyed
the
following
details.
Now.
Firstly,
I
want
to
be
clear
that
the
animal
that
was
diagnosed
positive
for
BSE
was
not
destined
for
the
15
and
its
carcass
was
disposed
of
appropriately.
There
are
very
strict
controls
in
place
to
protect
consumers
from
the
desk
of
BSE.
C
Second
of
all,
animals
on
the
holding
report
under
movement
restrictions
to
prevent
their
movement
off
the
holding
a
small
number
of
animals
on
the
holding
will
be
called
this
week
and
tested
as
a
precaution,
and
the
animal
and
plant
health
agency
will
conduct
a
detailed
investigation
to
seek
to
identify
the
source
of
the
disease
and,
thirdly,
controls
to
protect
animal
in
public
health
that
were
in
place
before
this
case.
Dude
I
mean
in
place
now,
and
that
includes
controls.
The
content
of
animal
feed.
A
C
Can
assure
mr.
Barnett
that
we,
of
course
we
are
taking
this
very
seriously
and
that
our
detailed
investigations
underway
some
of
those
investigations.
We
won't
see
the
conclusions
of
in
terms
of
identifying
the
the
source
or
the
cause
of
BSE,
if
it's
possible
to
discover
that
we
won't
have
the
results
of
that
for
at
least
of
perhaps
a
month
or
perhaps
longer
than
that.
C
Now
there
have
been
four
cohorts
and
one
of
the
offspring
of
the
affected
animal
will
be
slaughtered
and,
as
I
said
in
my
initial
response
as
well,
these
will
be
tested
purely
as
a
precautionary
measure
just
to
ensure,
but
from
the
very
limited
investigations
that
we
were
able
that
we've
been
able
to
do
so
far
again.
We
wait
the
outcome
of
the
further
investigations,
which
will
hopefully
provide
some
more
conclusive
information
that
can
bring
back
to
Parliament.
A
C
Think,
if
anything
as
devastating
as
an
or
that
this
outbreak
has
been
not
just
for
the
farm
and
in
volta,
but
I
mean
for
the
waited
industry
and
the
shock
that
it
will
have
been
to
have
this
case.
I
think,
if
anything,
it
shows
the
the
surveillance
and
the
measures
that
we've
put
in
place,
since
the
original
epidemic
in
the
1990s
are
working,
because
we've
been
able
to
identify
this
case
quickly
and
as
soon
as
that
case
was
identified,
the
other
precautionary
measures
were
put
in
place
immediately
and
as
soon
as
that
was
determined.
C
So
I
think
it
shows.
The
surveillance
measures
that
we
have
in
place
are
effective
and
they
are
working
as
an
example.
We
taste
20,000
for
fallen
stock
every
year.
So
the
fact
that
we,
but
we
have
such
like
we
do
have
a
very
good
system
for
surveillance
and
I-
think
the
fact
that
we've
been
able
to
pick
this
up
and
identify
the
case
so
quickly
and
react
in
the
way
we
did
shows
the
the
work
that
were
undertaking
and
all
the
precautionary
measures
are
working.
D
You
presiding
officer,
the
British
Veterinary
Association
have
said
that
they
are
pleased
that
the
comprehensive
and
robust
veterinary
surveillance
system
was
able
to
quickly
and
effectively
detect
this
potential
risk.
Both
the
farmer
and
the
vet
involved
deserve
praise
for
their
part
in
identifying
this
case,
allowing
the
authorities
to
put
in
place
appropriate
precautionary
measures,
but
can
I
ask
the
minister
what
impact
this
case
might
have
on
Scotland's
BSE
net
now
negligible
risk
status,
no.
C
C
E
C
Far
as
we're
aware
at
the
moment,
we're
determining
that
there
will
be
a
negligible
risk
and
other
countries
we've
seen
a
similar
where
they've
had
the
negligible
risk
status.
They've
lost
that
and
returned
to
controlled
risk.
We
haven't
seen
any
impact
on
their
trades
or
in
terms
of
the
the
impact
on
their
on
the
writer
beef
sector.
So
we
would
hope
that
it
will
have
it.
It
won't
be
too
much.
F
A
C
As
I
said
in
an
earlier
dancer,
I
mean
I
do
think
that
the
controls
and
the
measures
that
we
have
in
place
have
shown
to
be
working
by
the
very
fact
that
we
were
able
to
pick
this
key
stop
so
quickly
and
in
such
a
quick
and
responsive
way.
But,
of
course,
if
the
investigations
that
come
about
as
a
result
of
this
identify
any
possible
areas
for
improvement,
that's
of
course
something
that
we
would
look
very
seriously
at
and
very
closely
and
potentially
take
forward
any
improvements.
If
those
are
to
be
made.
Peter.
G
To
declare
an
interest
as
a
farmer:
firstly,
I
think
it's
important
that
we
put
on
record
and
we
all
send
our
support
to
the
farmer
concern
Thomas
Jackson
I
am
reliably
told
that
he
is
devastated
by
this
case
of
BSE
in
his
farm,
and
we
must
make
it
clear
that
he
has
done
nothing
wrong.
I
think
that's
important
to
Putin
record.
My
question
is:
can
the
minister
tell
the
chamber
what
extra
costs
and
procedures
are
involved
at
slaughter
because
of
our
downgrading
from
negligible
risk
to
control
risk
status?
Minister.
A
C
Thank
the
member
for
that
question
and
we'd
completely
a
call
the
sentiments
that
cease
he's
expressed
there
about
the
farm
it
involved
in
this.
This
is
obviously
nor
nor
fault
of
his
own,
and
this
is
understandably
devastating
for
the
farmer
and
for
his
family
as
well
I'm,
but
I
would
say
that
we
have
seen
isolated
cases
that
have
happened
elsewhere,
where
countries
have
had
negligible,
datas
and
lost.
That
of
we,
of
course,
I.
C
We,
the
outcome
of
the
investigation
into
this
case,
to
see
if
within
a
similar
situation
here,
I
am,
but
we
are
definitely
working
with
the
farmer
and
we
would
obviously
do
all
we
can
to
try
and
support
him
in
terms
of
the
extra
cost
that
could
be
involved
in
terms
of
our
losing
the
negligible
status
earned
between
that
and
the
controlled
risk.
That's
something
I
would
have
to
look
back
and
get
back
to
the
man,
but
on
and
and
give
him
a
more
detailed
response
on
that
answer,
and.
H
You
for
saying
officers
the
minister
and
others
have
mentioned
discovery
of
BSC
in
one
of
his
hair.
It's
been
devastating
for
Thomas
Jack's
and
his
family
can
I
ask
what
particular
support
the
family
and
and
the
farmer
been
given,
and
what
other
local
beef
producers
should
do.
If
you
have
any
questions
around
this
situation,.
A
C
Thank
the
member
for
that
question
and
I
understand
that
the
animal
implant
health
agency
has
provided
the
the
they've
been
in
touch
with
in
close
contact
with
the
farmer
and
they've,
provided
him
with
the
details
of
the
Royal
Scottish
agricultural
benevolent
institution,
and
this
is
a
charity
which
can
offer
practical
and
emotional
support
for
farmers
and
their
families
well
being
a
nephew.
Scotland
has
also
obviously
been
in
contact
with
the
farmer
and
as
I
understand,
they're,
also
providing
support
and
assistance
and
I
know
that
mr.
C
C
I
would
urge
any
farmer
with
concerns
to
seek
immediate
veterinary
advice,
but
I
would
also
say
that
I'm
intending
to
attain
15
certain
mark
this
Friday,
where
I
will
be
on
hand
to
discuss
if
farmers
have
any
concerns
that
they
want
to
raise
with
us
today
play
perhaps
if
they
feel
that
there
is
more
support
or
assistance,
we
could
be
offering
them
I'll
be
there
to
listen
to
those
concerns
to
see.
If
there's
anything
else,
that
is
a
government
we
can
do
to
help
support
them.
J
Member
will
be
aware
of
the
significant
landslide
that
closed
at
the
resting
be
thankful
on
Tuesday,
the
9th
of
October
3000
tons
of
debris.
This
was
the
biggest
landslide
on
the
reston,
be
thankful
in
at
least
a
decade.
Further
deteriorating
weather
conditions
during
storm
column
caused
additional
secondary
landslides.
J
Since
2007
we've
invested
69
million
pounds
in
the
maintenance
of
the
trunk
road,
including
11
million
pounds
at
the
Reston,
be
thankful
on
landslide
mitigation
measures
and
the
local
old
Military
Road
diversion
the
mitigation
measures
have
had
an
impact
with
some
2,500
tons
of
debris,
retained
by
the
Nets
on
Tuesday,
the
9th
of
October.
Looking
ahead
in
the
current
financial
year,
a
maintenance
program
for
the
83
totaling,
6
million
pounds
is
being
delivered.
This
includes
1.7
million
pounds
or
new
roadside
catch.
Pet
works
for
further
landside
landslide
mitigation
at
the
Reston
be
thankful.
J
This
is
part
over
4.4
million
pounds,
part
of
work
which
started
in
2017
18.
How
much
will
run
into
2019
2020
I've
arranged
for
our
83
taskforce
meeting
to
take
place
on
the
15th
of
November,
where
the
recent
incident
and
weather
issues
will
be
discussed
with
local
and
regional
stakeholders?
Jackie.
I
J
I
I
thank
the
cabinet
secretary
for
that
response
and
I
know
he
himself
visited
the
site
of
the
a83
during
the
nine
day.
Closure
and
I
am
grateful
to
him
for
doing
so.
He
will
be
aware,
as
he's
already
stated,
that
this
coincided
with
the
closure
of
the
old
Military
Road,
which
is
the
usual
diversionary
route
used,
and
indeed,
people
had
to
travel
an
extra
fifty
eight
miles
in
in
many
cases
as
a
result
of
both
those
closures.
I
Now,
whilst
the
rest
and
be
thankful
is
technically
in
my
constituency,
the
impact
is
most
keenly
felt
by
residents
and
businesses
in
Mike,
Russell's
constituency
of
Argyll
and
Bute
and
I
know
that
he
has
been
active
in
raising
this
within
the
Scottish
government.
So
well.
The
cabinet
secretary
joined
me
in
thanking
the
staff
that
worked
tirelessly
to
return
both
roads
to
use
and
Willy,
ensure
that
the
task
force
which
is
due
to
meet
soon,
will
draw
in
all
interest
to
work
on
a
solution.
J
Cabinets
Epson
off
so
I'm
grateful
for
the
members
question
and
I
like
I,
would
like
to
join
my
offer.
My
thanks
to
the
staff
through
what
tirelessly,
over
an
extended
period
of
time,
in
very
difficult
circumstances,
to
restore
the
rest
and
be
thankful
when
I
visited
to
say
on
afraid.
It
was
very
clear
to
me
that
this
was
a
very
significant
Lancelot
that
taken
place.
In
fact,
the
point
when
I
arrived,
the
fatherland
slip
had
actual
just
occurred
on
the
site.
J
J
So
the
staff
of
querido,
a
fantastic
job
and
trying
to
restore
this
road
and
having
it
opened
on
the
18th
of
this
month
can
I
say
that
it's
a
sports
with
an
opportunity
to
have
a
debrief
on
the
events
that
took
place
over
the
course
of
the
last
couple
of
weeks,
which
I
know
both
Mike
Russell
and
Jackie.
Baillie
have
a
standing
invitation
to
attend,
but
it's
important.
J
I
J
I
Cabinet
secretary
will
be
aware,
of
course,
that
this
isn't
the
first
time
that
the
rest
in
be
thankful
has
had
to
close
notwithstanding
the
welcome
mitigation
measures.
But
the
consequences
of
each
closure
for
the
local
economy
and
for
local
people
is
hugely
significant.
Many
people
now
believe
that
there
needs
to
be
a
permanent
solution
and
I
would
ask
the
cabinet
secretary
to
agree
to
meet
with
Argyll
and
Bute
Council
to
discuss
this
and,
secondly,
to
Commission
a
full
options
appraisal
to
deliver
certainty
for
local
people
in
businesses
that
rely
on
the
AAC
three.
J
Obtain
officer,
I
recognized
the
very
significant
inconvenience
and
frustration
felt
by
those
Annelle
gabled
who
were
affected
by
the
closure
of
the
83
at
the
race
to
be
thankful
or
not,
is
to
be
regretted
that
has
been
a
significant
amount
of
work.
That's
been
undertaken
to
try
and
implement
the
mitigation
measures,
as
I've
mentioned,
they
have
had
an
impact
on
the
sites
that
stands
at
the
present
moment.
Well,
the
route
would
have
closed
in
the
past
and
the
past
couple
of
years
that
the
Nets
have
actually
prevented
that
from
occurring.
J
But
clearly,
given
the
events
that
occurred
in
the
last
couple
of
weeks,
we
need
to
Reeve
this
issue.
The
last
report
was
completed
in
2013.
The
read
recommendation
is
the
one
which
was
taken
forward
and
that
work
is
still
ongoing.
There
is
work
to
install
the
catch
pits
that
part
of
which
is
being
completed.
J
K
You
I,
too,
commend
the
staff
as
well
for
the
hard
work
they
did
in
recent
events
on
the
83.
The
83
is
the
main
trunk
road
coming
into
our
garland.
Closure
leads
to
people
suffering,
fuel
poverty,
isolation,
inability
to
access
vital
services
such
as
hospital
visits,
and
things
like
that.
If
the
most
recent
landside
had
actually
occurred
hours
later,
that
could
well
have
been
fatalities.
Does
the
cabinet
secretary
agree
that
no
other
trunk
roads,
such
as
the
m8
m74
and
the
m9,
will
be
allowed
to
function
at
this
level
of
disruption,
cabinet.
J
Same
officer
as
I
just
mentioned,
I
regret.
The
disruption
was
caused
by
this
particular
landslide,
and
anyone
who
knows
this
particular
site
will
know
of
the
a
challenge
and
topography
of
that
area.
Well,
there
has
been
long-standing
issues
with
the
landslide
in
this
particular
area
of
the
road
which
has
been
taken
forward
as
part
of
the
mitigation
measures
is
to
address
these
concerns.