Current Actions

October 2009

Agriculture taskforce response to the The Brian Pack Inquiry into Future Support for Agriculture in Scotland. 30 October 2009.

Marine Bill Stage 1 Briefing. LINK’s Marine Task Force warmly welcomes the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee’s Stage 1 Report and its recommendations to strengthen the provisions of the Bill in a number of key areas. At the heart of our campaign is our belief that the marine environment is the foundation for all the benefits that the sea provides for the people of Scotland. A healthy and well-functioning marine environment is a prerequisite for a sustainable Scottish economy. 26 October 2009

Recovering Scotland’s Marine Environment. Recovering Scotland’s Marine Environment is an independent report by Dr David Hughes and Dr Thom Nickell from the Scottish Association for Marine Science. 14 October 2009

Marine Bill must return our seas to health (press release). Scottish Environment LINK today released an independent scientific report on the historic decline of species in Scotland’s seas, and called for the Marine (Scotland) Act to contain strong measures to reverse these declines - not just to protect what is left. 14 October 2009

September 2009

Oral Evidence on Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill. LINK provided Oral Evidence on stage one of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. The Committee was specifically looking at sections 1 and 2, which propose the transfer to Scottish Natural Heritage of functions of the Deer Commission for Scotland and the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest. 16 September 2009

EU Budget Reform Inquiry (Additional response). LINK gave further information to the Europe and External Affairs Committees inquiry into EU Budget Reform. 4 Sep 2009.

LINK response to Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill Consultation. 3 Sep 2009

July 2009

LINK Letter to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee regarding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Marine (Scotland) Bill, and the type and level of consultation we believe is appropriate for the two distinct stages of first selecting and then managing a MPA. The decision to designate a MPA must be made on scientific criteria alone. If an area meets these criteria, Scottish Ministers must proceed with the designation. 17 July 2009. 134 Kb

LINK letter to Jim Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Scotland and Convener of the Calman Steering Group stating that the perfect opportunity exists now to devolve responsibility for marine nature conservation. 8 July 2009. 81 Kb

June 2009

Planning Task Force consultation response Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) Consultative Draft. The consolidated SPP could well lead to less effective and consistent development and application of policy, and perversely to more delays and challenges. 24 June 2009. 152 Kb

LINK Agriculture Taskforce Response to Consultation on the Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check in Scotland. We believe that the Scottish Government has opportunities to ensure payments are better directed towards the provision of environmental and other public services provided by particular types of land management. 12 June 2009. 92Kb

LINK Woodland Taskforce Letter to Forest Enterprise about the conditions of sale imposed on purchasers of former FES plantations, in particular any commitments to maintain woodland management to UKWAS and UK Forestry Standards. 8 June 2009. 78Kb

LINK Marine Taskforce Written Evidence to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on Stage 1 of the Marine (Scotland) Bill giving concerns that the Bill allows for ecosystem objectives to be traded-off against short-term social and economic objectives, resulting in a continued deterioration of sea health and productivity. Also, there must be an independent, transparent appeals process for marine licensing and planning decisions. 4 June 2009. 70Kb

May 2009

Scottish Marine Bill Briefing. Environmental sustainability must have top priority because it is the basis for all social and economic benefits. LINK Marine Taskforce Briefing, 28 May 2009. 394Kb.

Peatlands Briefing. Scotland has the majority of the UK peatland soils and internationally important peat bog habitat. There is an urgent need to prioritise funding and statutory effort towards achieving peatland restoration targets. LINK Biodiversity and Climate Taskforce Briefing, 28 May 2009. 65Kb

Oral evidence on the Environmental Liability (Scotland) Regulations 2009. Given to the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee by LINK Board member Jonny Hughes (SWT). LINK has concerns about the transposition of how the European 'Environmental Liability Directive' is being transposed through the Environmental Liability regulations in relation to damage to Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Ramsar sites. 27 May 2009.

LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to consultation on the Scottish and the Solway Tweed River Basin Management Plans. We are concerned that the draft RBMPs lack in the consideration of a full range of measures that can help deliver objectives. The Plan still has the appearance of being more informative than aspirational. 26 May 2009. 80Kb

LINK welcomes the passing of the new Bill on flooding on 13 May 2009. This is a major opportunity to have more sustainable approaches for the management of flood risk. Sustainable flood management good for people and biodiversity LINK Media News. 27Kb. 13 May 2009.

LINK European Election hustings In preparation for the European Parliament elections held on 4 June, LINK organised a hustings event on 20 May in Edinburgh. The panel of five candidates Paul McAleavey (Labour), Alex Johnstone MSP (Conservatives), Elspeth Atwooll MEP (Liberal Democrats), Ian Hudghton MEP (SNP), Elaine Morrison (Greens) outlined their policies before answering questions from the audience.

Agriculture Taskforce Response to Consultation on the Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check in Scotland: Response to questions on Article 68.
Article 68 provides an opportunity to redirect funds to specific systems seen to be of value for environmental reasons, where SRDP funds have already proved insufficient to maintain them. 30Kb. 18 May 2009

LINK Freshwater Taskforce Notes on the Marshalled List of Amendments selected for stage three of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill. This offers a more detailed briefing on the amendments, as tabled. 12 May 2009.

The Flood Risk Management Bill marks a significant improvement in flood management in Scotland, but there are further improvements that could be made. The LINK freshwater taskforce Stage 3 briefing looks at proposed amendments that would improve the legislation still further. Also see all of the LINK Freshwater Taskforce work on flooding. 11 May 2009.

April 2009

LINK Marine Taskforce calls on all MSPs to ensure that the Scottish Marine Bill becomes a truly groundbreaking piece of legislation, delivering effective protection for Scotland’s seas, shores and wildlife. Press Release. 30 April 2009

LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to consultation on Implementing the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003, Scotland’s Water: Future Directions. We are disappointed by the projected level of improvement in ecological status of 6% by 2015, which is amongst the lowest rates of improvement in Europe. 1 April 2009 111Kb

Recent Actions

Actions in the past six months. Older documents are available in the action archive.

March 2009

Briefing on National Planning Framework 2 from the LINK Planning Taskforce ahead of the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee Debate on the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2 – Proposed Framework, 5 March 2009.

February 2009

LINK Agriculture Taskforce Response to the First Stage Review of SRDP, the Scotland Rural Development Programme. The SRDP is the main delivery mechanism for a wide range of Scotland’s environmental commitments. It is therefore of utmost importance that its ability to help reach these commitments is not compromised.  124Kb. 27 February 2009.

LINK Marine Taskforce Parliamentary Briefing for the Marine Bill Debate, 26 February 2009. It is vital that a series of enforceable targets for ecosystem health (Marine Ecosystem Objectives) are designed to underpin marine planning and licensing and comply with the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. 46Kb 26 February 2009.

Response to the Scottish Parliament's Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee call for evidence on the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill from LINK's Climate Change taskforce. 27 February 2009.

Letter to the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee regarding Muirburn in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. The letter outlines LINK members support for evidence on Muirburn submitted by the RSPB, as well as some additional points. 20 February 2009.

Press Release: Next Week is Scottish Environment Week. For more details of Scottish Environment Week visit the weeks home page. 20 February 2009.

LINK Deer taskforce issues a briefing on proposals for deer legislation as part of a proposed Natural Heritage (Scotland) Bill. For LINK, the imperative is creating the circumstances in which sustainable deer management can take place. 20 February 2009

Angus Yarwood, convenor of the LINK Woodland taskforce gave oral evidence on forestry proposals in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. 11 February 2009.

LINK Marine Taskforce welcomes announcement of a new planning body for Scotland's seas. 38Kb. Press Release, 9 February 2009.

LINK Woodland Taskforce Written Evidence to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee on the Forestry Proposals in the Climate Change Scotland Bill 50Kb. LINK calls for more considered thought and discussion and is concerned about the wide reaching enabling powers in Section 47: 1, 2 and 4 being included in the Bill. 3 February 2009.

January 2009

LINK Marine Taskforce. Response to Consultation on Legislative Consent Memorandum
Scottish Environment LINK’s Marine Task Force welcomes the agreement between the Scottish and UK Governments on a UK-wide approach to marine planning. However there are still a number of concerns with the UK Bill/Legislative Consent Motion and there are several issues which may now not be covered by either the UK or Scottish Marine Bills. 130Kb. January 2009

LINK Marine Taskforce. Response to the consultation on the SEA Environmental Report
It will be vital that there is a SEA of the Marine Policy Statement and of the Marine Plans. SEA is a continuous process which must not stop at the Environmental Report. 55Kb.
January 2009.

LINK Marine Taskforce. Response to the consultation on the Scottish Marine Bill RIA
We are disappointed that the focus of this document appears to be the growth of marine industries and balance of resource use and resource protection. 43Kb. January 2009.

LINK Climate Change Taskforce response to Consultation on the Consenting Process for Thermal Power Stations in Scotland. 96Kb LINK strongly urges the Scottish Government to ensure greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by implementing an emissions performance standard (EPS). 30 January 2009.

LINK Woodland Taskforce response to the Climate Change and the National Forest Estate Consultation on forestry provisions in the Scottish Climate Change Bill 70Kb
Concerns raised about woodland creation for carbon sequestration becoming the primary driver for the government and the National Forest Estate (NFE). 27 January 2009.

LINK Freshwater Taskforce Briefing for Stage One of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill . 22 January 2009

LINK Freshwater Taskforce members call for the Scottish Government to implement recommendations unanimously agreed by the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee to strengthen key aspects of the Bill and place more emphasis on natural flood management. 21 January 2009.

LINK Agriculture Taskforce briefing on The Common Agriculture Policy Health Check ahead of the Scottish Parliament debate on the 21 January 2009.

Duncan McLaren (FOES) representing LINK, gave oral evidence on the National Planning Framework to the Scottish Parliament's Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change committee. The main theme of the session was transport. 13 January 2009.

LINK Planning Taskforce Evidence to the Local Government and Communities Committee of the Scottish Parliament, calls for stronger linkage between planning and sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Commission. January 2009. 56Kb

LINK Agriculture and Biodiversity Taskforce Letter to Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary giving concerns about SRDP and five suggestions to improve Rural Priorities. 9 January 2009

December 2008

LINK Agriculture Taskforce Response to Consultation on Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme in Scotland (2010-2013) calls for urgent reform of the LFASS Interim. 19 December 2008

LINK Deer Task Force Response Proposals for new Deer Legislation in the proposed Natural Heritage Bill. 18 December 2008.

Biodiversity Case Studies Report, 17 December 2008

LINK Deer Taskforce Letter to the Scottish Government about the proposed Natural Heritage Bill. 16 December 2008.

Evidence from Scottish Environment LINK on Inquiry into the EU Budget Review to the Scottish Parliaments Europe and External Relations Committee. 15 December 2008.

LINK Marine Taskforce Press Release welcomes the UK Marine Bill given in the Queen's Speech to Parliament, and calls for the forthcoming Scottish Marine Bill and the UK Marine Bill fit seamlessly together. 2 December 2008.

November 2008

LINK Letter to the Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP outlining concerns at the approach to transposition of the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) in Scotland.
17 November 2008.

LINK Agriculture and Biodiversity Taskforce Response to Consultation on Honey Bee Health
LINK believe that the proposed initiatives do not adequately take account of the broader issue of native pollinators, which may have far-reaching consequences for Scotland’s crops.  14 November 2008

Written evidence for Stage One of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill from LINK Freshwater Taskforce to the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. November 2008

New LINK position statement - 'Time to Act on Climate Change' 3.7Mb
This statement sets out LINK's views on the main issues to be addressed if climate change is to be tackled effectively in Scotland. September 2008.

Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill: Financial Memorandum, a submission to the Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee from LINK's freshwater taskforce. 11 November 2008

LINK Marine taskforce response to Scottish Aquaculture – A Fresh Start. A Consultation on the Renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture. 5 November 2008

Investing in the environment makes sound financial sense New report Valuing our Environment shows that sustainable use of our environment underpins the economy by £17.2 billion a year, or more than a tenth of the country's economic output. LINK press release 5 November 2008

October 2008

LINK Response - Action Plan on European Engagement 3.34Mb
LINK broadly supports the overall aim to improve Scotland’s engagement with Europe.
b. But LINK believes that the draft APOEE has a skewed emphasis on how Europe can increase Scotland’s economic growth (as measured by GDP) and fails to give sufficient priority to vital social and environmental issues.

LINK Response - Scottish Marine Bill 165Kb
LINK Marine Taskforce calls for a Scottish Marine Bill to deliver Good Environmental
Status and seas that are clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse. October 2008.

September 2008

Beyond the CAP 3.3Mb
Scottish Environment LINK is calling for the development of a Sustainable Land Management Policy for Europe to replace the existing Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

In this report the LINK Agriculture Taskforce presents the case for transforming it into a European Sustainable Land Management Policy. It lays out our vision for how CAP funding could, in future, be retained for rural areas, help maintain land managers’ livelihoods and provide significant public goods. 1 September 2008.

LINK Freshwater Taskforce response to the Scottish Government Consultation on Implementing the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003: Development of Environmental Standards and Condition Limits, Phase II. Ten areas of concern are summarised, plus general points and detailed points are given. September 2008

Joint UK Links response - High Level Marine Objectives 78Kb
The UK Links believe that shared HLMOs, which in turn will inform a UK-wide Marine
Policy Statement (MPS), are essential to secure coherent marine management, and
we urge all four Administrations to work together to take this forward. September 2008.

LINK response to the Soil Framework Consultation. September 2008

LINK Agriculture Taskforce response to the Scottish Government Consultation on the Future Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Scotland. September 2008

LINK Deer Taskforce Letter to the Scottish Government about the proposed SNH-DCS merger.
5 September 2008.

August 2008

New LINK Review Report - Natural Flood Management 774Kb
Natural Flood Management (NFM) is part of a Sustainable Flood Management approach. It is a series of techniques that involves working with rivers and coasts using natural processes within the framework of land use planning.

A major element is the production of a Catchment Flood Management Plan enabling most of the current land uses to continue while introducing flood controls in key areas.

This literature review looks at what can be learned from past studies and experiences in other countries. Also, it helps fill in the knowledge gap in NFM. 28 August 2008

Flood Risk Managment (Scotland) Bill
Freshwater Task Force web pages, August 2008.

New leaflet - 'A Vital Step for Scotland' 848Kb
New legislation represents a new opportunity to introduce sustainable management of flood risk. However, it will only be achieved if three key principles are placed at the heart of the new legislation. This leaflet produced by the LINK Freshwater Taskforce outlines the required principles. 28 August 2008.

June 2008

LINK Marine Task Force Position Statement on Seal Conservation, June 2008 summarises the current legislation for seal conservation in Scotland and highlights its inadequacies. It is also a joint call for reform of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 to address those inadequacies and to reflect the need for effective and comprehensive seal conservation measures.

LINK Marine Taskforce response to Defra consultation on the draft UK Marine Bill , June 2008.

Flooding and Flood Management – the way forward for Scotland . A briefing by the Freshwater Taskforce of Scottish Environment LINK for the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee debate on flooding and flood management, 26 June 2008.

Older...

Older documents are available in the action archive.