News Release: Immediate use
Rob Gibson SNP MSP has secured a member's debate in Parliament on Wednesday 1st April. It calls for support for conventional plant breeding from our world class Scottish research institutes.
Mr Gibson will be addressing the need to secure supplies of blight resistant potatoes and non GM animal feed for Scottish farmers and crofters so that produce from Scotland can maintain our reputation for producing healthy, tasty food that consumers want to buy.
He said, "We must make best use of bodies like the Scottish Crop Research Institute near Dundee to develop conventional crops both for human and animal consumption. Far too much animal feed is imported, some of which is GM soya from Brazil and Argentina. The backlash from growers in those countries and consumer concerns point to European authorities seeking locally grown alternatives such as lupines to replace soya. Far too much research time has been paid for by GM companies like Monsanto with precious few acceptable results."
"Regarding soya for animal feed, I have opened discussions with NFUS on the work of Dr John Fagan who has conducted experiments that show non-GM soya is both more productive and cheaper for farmers. Such experiments need to be replicated in Scottish conditions."
" I will highlight conventional means to develop the strains of blight resistant potatoes to fit Scottish conditions. The Sárvári Research project at Bangor in North Wales uses Hungarian potato strains that were trialled in the Black Isle in Ross-shire. We need more application of these Sarpo varieties in quantities that commercial growers can use."
"My debate will allow Parliament to discuss the issues surrounding enhanced research and grasp the fruits of strong trends across Europe and worldwide to adopt conventional plant breeding to meet our burgeoning food needs on this crowded planet."
ENDS
Note:
S3M-03205# Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): Supporting Conventional Plant Breeding— That the Parliament welcomes a growing body of evidence that Scottish farmers, crofters and growers can benefit from the results of successful experiments to produce home-grown food for both animals and humans that does not rely on transgenic modification of plant material; also welcomes the recent work of the Scottish Crop Research Institute in producing highly nutritious purple-pigmented potatoes; applauds the Sárvári Research Trust based at Bangor University that confirms that blight-resistant Sárpo potatoes, which were successfully trialed in the Black Isle, are suitable for Scottish conditions; recalls that the Scottish Agricultural College has backed an international research collaboration on the Green Pig project, which plans to use home-grown legume varieties to reduce reliance on imported and expensive soya bean meal and so reduce costs for Scottish livestock producers; notes the scientific analysis of Dr John Fagan of Global ID Group, which shows that, although non-GM pig feed costs a bit more than GM feed because of feed-to-meat conversion efficiency, when using non-GM feed the actual cost per animal is lower, and therefore believes that a conventional plant breeding policy is an essential basis for the Scottish national food and drink policy, which itself dovetails with the conclusions of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development that small-scale farming and ecological methods provide the way forward to avert the current world food crisis.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Michael Matheson, Dr Alasdair Allan, Bill Kidd, Jamie Hepburn, Brian Adam, Dr Bill Wilson, Robin Harper, Joe FitzPatrick, Roseanna Cunningham, Gil Paterson, Christina McKelvie, Aileen Campbell, Bashir Ahmad, Hugh Henry, Dave Thompson, Stuart McMillan
Lodged on Monday, January 12, 2009; Current
Monday, 30 March 2009
Thursday, 26 March 2009
RENEWABLES PROJECTS CREATES 250 JOBS
For Immediate Release
Thursday 26th March 2009
Highland & Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change & Energy Committees – has welcomed today’s announcement by the First Minister today (Thursday) which will secure 85 jobs in Argyll and create at least 250 more.
The SNP Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development International (SDI) have been working together for some months to secure a long term future at the Vestas turbine manufacturing plant near Campbeltown, which will now be taken over by Danish firm Skykon.
Its future is now secure and offers long-term employment.
The £45 million investment will see a three fold expansion of the plant saving the present 85 jobs, creating 250 more, and 150 indirect spin-off jobs.
Mr Gibson said:
“This is very good news for Argyll and the Highlands & Islands. Due to the hard work of the Scottish Government, HIE and SDI the people of Campbeltown can now not only feel more secure but look forward to even more jobs.
“That is not only good news but shows how renewables offer us a means to stave off the economic difficulties that many people are facing.
“This announcement shows how renewables can transform the economy of some of the remotest parts of Scotland, particularly in these harsh economic times.
“Investment in renewables shows us the way forward and shows how they can create jobs. That is why the SNP is focussing on renewable energy as the future for Scotland.
“That is why we have seen the SNP Government determine 26 energy applications since May 2007, including consenting 20 renewables projects, totalling over 1.5 GW. That equals one a month - more than during the entire previous 4 years of the previous Labour/LibDem Executive added together.”
ENDS
Thursday 26th March 2009
Highland & Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson – a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Climate Change & Energy Committees – has welcomed today’s announcement by the First Minister today (Thursday) which will secure 85 jobs in Argyll and create at least 250 more.
The SNP Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Development International (SDI) have been working together for some months to secure a long term future at the Vestas turbine manufacturing plant near Campbeltown, which will now be taken over by Danish firm Skykon.
Its future is now secure and offers long-term employment.
The £45 million investment will see a three fold expansion of the plant saving the present 85 jobs, creating 250 more, and 150 indirect spin-off jobs.
Mr Gibson said:
“This is very good news for Argyll and the Highlands & Islands. Due to the hard work of the Scottish Government, HIE and SDI the people of Campbeltown can now not only feel more secure but look forward to even more jobs.
“That is not only good news but shows how renewables offer us a means to stave off the economic difficulties that many people are facing.
“This announcement shows how renewables can transform the economy of some of the remotest parts of Scotland, particularly in these harsh economic times.
“Investment in renewables shows us the way forward and shows how they can create jobs. That is why the SNP is focussing on renewable energy as the future for Scotland.
“That is why we have seen the SNP Government determine 26 energy applications since May 2007, including consenting 20 renewables projects, totalling over 1.5 GW. That equals one a month - more than during the entire previous 4 years of the previous Labour/LibDem Executive added together.”
ENDS
Gibson lodges Knoydart motion
News release
Immediate release
26/03/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament celebrating the 10th anniversary of Knoydart's land buy out.
The Peninsula which was cleared of crofters in the 19th Century and witnessed an unsuccessful land raid by the seven men of Knoydart in 1948 achieved community ownership in 1999.
Mr Gibson who attended the buy out 'independence day' celebrations ten years ago said…
"There are many stories of oppressive landlords and land raids in the Highland & Islands and Knoydart is certainly one of the most notorious. So it is a pleasure to witness and mark the 10th anniversary of successful community ownership."
"The work and ideas which were galvanised by the buyout is testament that land owned by the community works. The population has doubled and the community is self sustaining. That cannot be said of previous private Knoydart estates in the past or many other private estates today in the Highlands and Islands."
"This was once one for the most deprived areas of rural Scotland. The same cannot be said now. It is also an example of how remote and rural communities can become self sufficient in energy. They are progressing with increased green energy practices which will wean them off diesel generators. As happened with the hydro scheme."
"It is unfortunate that the incorporated membership structure model of community ownership which was used in Knoydart, Eigg and Assynt was not the one adopted by the Scottish Executive in their Land Reform Bill. I think there should be post legislative scrutiny of land reform to adopt a range of models such as the successful one which serves Knoydart."
"It has become clear that there is little if any money left in the Big Lottery fund to help communities follow the lead of other communities buy outs. However I am not convinced that the money which is being taken away form land buyouts to fund the London Olympics will deliver as long lasting and radical change for communities in the Highlands and Islands."ENDS
Copy of Rob's motion
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Knoydart's land by out
That the Parliament congratulates the Knoydart Foundation on the 10th anniversary of the successful buy out; notes that the community buy out model adopted for Knoydart provided expert outside support incorporated in the membership structure; recalls that Knoydart along with Assynt and Eigg applied community models that were not adopted in the land reform legislation subsequently passed in the Scottish Parliament; celebrates the progress in developing sustainable services such as the hydro scheme to serve the peninsula's population; recognises the significant and well-deserved application of public support to aid the development of a severely disadvantaged community which had suffered severe decline under the whims of private landlords; and offers fulsome praise for the recovery of one of the most deprived rural communities in Scotland.
Immediate release
26/03/09
Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament celebrating the 10th anniversary of Knoydart's land buy out.
The Peninsula which was cleared of crofters in the 19th Century and witnessed an unsuccessful land raid by the seven men of Knoydart in 1948 achieved community ownership in 1999.
Mr Gibson who attended the buy out 'independence day' celebrations ten years ago said…
"There are many stories of oppressive landlords and land raids in the Highland & Islands and Knoydart is certainly one of the most notorious. So it is a pleasure to witness and mark the 10th anniversary of successful community ownership."
"The work and ideas which were galvanised by the buyout is testament that land owned by the community works. The population has doubled and the community is self sustaining. That cannot be said of previous private Knoydart estates in the past or many other private estates today in the Highlands and Islands."
"This was once one for the most deprived areas of rural Scotland. The same cannot be said now. It is also an example of how remote and rural communities can become self sufficient in energy. They are progressing with increased green energy practices which will wean them off diesel generators. As happened with the hydro scheme."
"It is unfortunate that the incorporated membership structure model of community ownership which was used in Knoydart, Eigg and Assynt was not the one adopted by the Scottish Executive in their Land Reform Bill. I think there should be post legislative scrutiny of land reform to adopt a range of models such as the successful one which serves Knoydart."
"It has become clear that there is little if any money left in the Big Lottery fund to help communities follow the lead of other communities buy outs. However I am not convinced that the money which is being taken away form land buyouts to fund the London Olympics will deliver as long lasting and radical change for communities in the Highlands and Islands."ENDS
Copy of Rob's motion
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Knoydart's land by out
That the Parliament congratulates the Knoydart Foundation on the 10th anniversary of the successful buy out; notes that the community buy out model adopted for Knoydart provided expert outside support incorporated in the membership structure; recalls that Knoydart along with Assynt and Eigg applied community models that were not adopted in the land reform legislation subsequently passed in the Scottish Parliament; celebrates the progress in developing sustainable services such as the hydro scheme to serve the peninsula's population; recognises the significant and well-deserved application of public support to aid the development of a severely disadvantaged community which had suffered severe decline under the whims of private landlords; and offers fulsome praise for the recovery of one of the most deprived rural communities in Scotland.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Gibson welcomes crofting change
News release
Immediate release
25/03/09
SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the announcement that Highlands and Islands Enterprise is to take control of crofting community development on the 1st of April.
HIE will take over socio economic development from the Crofting Commission as well as ensuring integration throughout the crofting counties.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham also said that £175,000 fund had been transferred from the crofting assistance budget to HIE for crofting development.
Rob said….
"This transfer will enhance the roles of both the Crofting Commission and HIE which will ultimately benefit crofting communities. It will allow the Crofting Commission to focus upon improving business regulation whilst HIE can look to developing communities."
"The decision from the Government makes a great deal of sense. The dual roles of regulating and development in the Crofting Commission was one which could no longer be sustained. Indeed often regulation took precedence over development."
"These changes will allow positive future for crofting communities, with more focus given to community developments there will increased chances for people developed social enterprises or micro - businesses."
"The transfer of money will allow for this to happen. The announcement is a positive step for crofting and will mark a new start for it."
ENDS
Immediate release
25/03/09
SNP MSP Rob Gibson has welcomed the announcement that Highlands and Islands Enterprise is to take control of crofting community development on the 1st of April.
HIE will take over socio economic development from the Crofting Commission as well as ensuring integration throughout the crofting counties.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham also said that £175,000 fund had been transferred from the crofting assistance budget to HIE for crofting development.
Rob said….
"This transfer will enhance the roles of both the Crofting Commission and HIE which will ultimately benefit crofting communities. It will allow the Crofting Commission to focus upon improving business regulation whilst HIE can look to developing communities."
"The decision from the Government makes a great deal of sense. The dual roles of regulating and development in the Crofting Commission was one which could no longer be sustained. Indeed often regulation took precedence over development."
"These changes will allow positive future for crofting communities, with more focus given to community developments there will increased chances for people developed social enterprises or micro - businesses."
"The transfer of money will allow for this to happen. The announcement is a positive step for crofting and will mark a new start for it."
ENDS
'Victory for Consumer Rights' - Gibson
25 March 2009
The European Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly backed new EU rules on 'novel foods', nanotechnology, genetically-modified products and meat from cloned animals. In a crucial vote, MEPs supported strict safety testing to authorise nanotech food and compulsory labelling for both nanotech food and that originating from GM-fed animals.
The European Parliament had also backed calls from the Greens/European Free Alliance (EFA), to which the SNP is aligned, to withhold authorisation for foods produced with the aid of nanotechnologies until adequate test methods are available. This means a moratorium on nano-foods and therefore a call to the food industry to take existing affected products off the market until their safety is assured.
The Greens/EFA demand for mandatory labelling of nanomaterial ingredients was also supported by the European Parliament by a large majority. This should ensure that progress is made towards closing the GMO-labelling gap with regard to animal products. It also means that food from animals fed with GMOs – whether, meat, milk or eggs – must now be labelled as such.
Speaking from Strasbourg, SNP MEP Alyn Smith said:
"Consumers must not be guinea pigs for new forms of food. I therefore welcome the European Parliament's vote for stronger standards of scrutiny with regards the use of nanotechnology in food. Today, foods containing nanomaterials have already been allowed onto the EU market without any controls or safeguards, even though the potential risks are yet to be adequately assessed."
Speaking from Edinburgh, SNP MSP Rob Gibson said:
"Scotland can benefit hugely from this very positive European Parliament vote. This is a real victory for consumer rights and choice."
ENDS
The European Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly backed new EU rules on 'novel foods', nanotechnology, genetically-modified products and meat from cloned animals. In a crucial vote, MEPs supported strict safety testing to authorise nanotech food and compulsory labelling for both nanotech food and that originating from GM-fed animals.
The European Parliament had also backed calls from the Greens/European Free Alliance (EFA), to which the SNP is aligned, to withhold authorisation for foods produced with the aid of nanotechnologies until adequate test methods are available. This means a moratorium on nano-foods and therefore a call to the food industry to take existing affected products off the market until their safety is assured.
The Greens/EFA demand for mandatory labelling of nanomaterial ingredients was also supported by the European Parliament by a large majority. This should ensure that progress is made towards closing the GMO-labelling gap with regard to animal products. It also means that food from animals fed with GMOs – whether, meat, milk or eggs – must now be labelled as such.
Speaking from Strasbourg, SNP MEP Alyn Smith said:
"Consumers must not be guinea pigs for new forms of food. I therefore welcome the European Parliament's vote for stronger standards of scrutiny with regards the use of nanotechnology in food. Today, foods containing nanomaterials have already been allowed onto the EU market without any controls or safeguards, even though the potential risks are yet to be adequately assessed."
Speaking from Edinburgh, SNP MSP Rob Gibson said:
"Scotland can benefit hugely from this very positive European Parliament vote. This is a real victory for consumer rights and choice."
ENDS
Friday, 20 March 2009
Gibson comments on forestry debate
News release
Immediate release
20/03/09
Parties lacking imagination and unable to suggest early means for tree planting was how Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson summed up Labour and Lib Dem contributions to the forestry debate in parliament this week (Thursday 19/03)
Following a backward looking debate Mr Gibson said….
"Yet again the Labour and Lib Dem speakers offered no new solutions to find money for planting trees in the next five years. What we got from most of their speakers were petty and puerile attacks on Mike Russell and Roseanna Cunningham."
"However once the opposition has got their ire out of their system the fact remains that there is still a problem regarding finding the money to help meet reforesting targets it is time for them to be constructive."
During the debate he said….
"The debate on the forestry provisions was an attempt to get people's ideas about how we can achieve such regeneration., but it has broadly focused on one proposal in the consultation which genuinely sought to get money which would allow us to kick start an early stage our attempts to curb climate change through the work of the Forestry Commission. The gap in cash income before joint venture renewable schemes get up and running still has to be filled."
He also said that other ways of gaining money from sell-off forestry land faced difficulties.
"If the Labour party want communities to buy forestry land, they have to ask whether the money from the Big Lottery fund will be available. Much of that money has been sequestered for the Olympics in the east of London. The SNP Government intends to expand public and private forestry plantings to achieve 25% tree cover by or before 2050. We are seeking cross party support for the best means to do so."
ENDS
Immediate release
20/03/09
Parties lacking imagination and unable to suggest early means for tree planting was how Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson summed up Labour and Lib Dem contributions to the forestry debate in parliament this week (Thursday 19/03)
Following a backward looking debate Mr Gibson said….
"Yet again the Labour and Lib Dem speakers offered no new solutions to find money for planting trees in the next five years. What we got from most of their speakers were petty and puerile attacks on Mike Russell and Roseanna Cunningham."
"However once the opposition has got their ire out of their system the fact remains that there is still a problem regarding finding the money to help meet reforesting targets it is time for them to be constructive."
During the debate he said….
"The debate on the forestry provisions was an attempt to get people's ideas about how we can achieve such regeneration., but it has broadly focused on one proposal in the consultation which genuinely sought to get money which would allow us to kick start an early stage our attempts to curb climate change through the work of the Forestry Commission. The gap in cash income before joint venture renewable schemes get up and running still has to be filled."
He also said that other ways of gaining money from sell-off forestry land faced difficulties.
"If the Labour party want communities to buy forestry land, they have to ask whether the money from the Big Lottery fund will be available. Much of that money has been sequestered for the Olympics in the east of London. The SNP Government intends to expand public and private forestry plantings to achieve 25% tree cover by or before 2050. We are seeking cross party support for the best means to do so."
ENDS
Gibson calls for more 'green energy' planners
News release
Immediate release
20/03/09
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has called for an all-Scottish push to train planners and public agency staff in the skills needed to speed up the processing of renewable energy projects.
Speaking after Wednesday's Energy, Economy and Tourism Committee meeting in the Scottish Parliament which focused on the planning process, he said,
" The Committee heard evidence from developers who justifiably complain that the growth of renewable energy production hits too many bottlenecks in the planning system for clean green power to meet our national targets."
"There are too few Skilled planners, Council budgets don't boost training in planning skills, agencies like SEPA and SNH do not respond as quickly as they should and councillors also lack training to deal with complex renewable energy proposals."
"The investment climate we need to make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe relies of every council in the land and all public agencies pulling together. Therefore I was amazed that on the day the Parliamentary Committee heard this evidence that Highland council planning committee was cutting its staff. All councils need to boost planning budgets so that the clean energy revolution can have every chance to lead our country out of recession."
ENDS
Immediate release
20/03/09
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has called for an all-Scottish push to train planners and public agency staff in the skills needed to speed up the processing of renewable energy projects.
Speaking after Wednesday's Energy, Economy and Tourism Committee meeting in the Scottish Parliament which focused on the planning process, he said,
" The Committee heard evidence from developers who justifiably complain that the growth of renewable energy production hits too many bottlenecks in the planning system for clean green power to meet our national targets."
"There are too few Skilled planners, Council budgets don't boost training in planning skills, agencies like SEPA and SNH do not respond as quickly as they should and councillors also lack training to deal with complex renewable energy proposals."
"The investment climate we need to make Scotland the green energy capital of Europe relies of every council in the land and all public agencies pulling together. Therefore I was amazed that on the day the Parliamentary Committee heard this evidence that Highland council planning committee was cutting its staff. All councils need to boost planning budgets so that the clean energy revolution can have every chance to lead our country out of recession."
ENDS
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