The law never stands still, and the way it applies to you and your organisation is constantly evolving. Our people are on top of these developments and can keep you up to date with some of the most interesting aspects of these changes. Check out our articles and updates for our perspective on issues that might affect you.
The proper and efficient harnessing of Scotland's natural capital will be absolutely crucial in respect of the Scottish Government's ambitious target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. An example of the technology and innovation that will both be created by and drive this transition was in the news this week.
In what comes as a first for the UK as an independent coastal state, a new trilateral fisheries agreement between the UK, Norway and the European Union (EU) was announced earlier this week (16 March 2021).
In a move that will likely be welcomed by many, the UK Government has announced a six month extension on the plans to introduce a range of post-Brexit border checks on goods imported from the EU, recognising the "teething" issues that businesses continue to face post-Brexit.
In recognition of the severe impact that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to have on Scotland's tourism industry, the Scottish Government announced several important support packages in December 2020, with the overall goal of helping the industry survive the impacts of the pandemic. One of these support packages, the "Marine and Outdoor Tourism Restart Fund", operated by VisitScotland, is due to open for applications in early February 2021. Below we take a high-level look at the fund and, in particular, the types of marine and boating businesses that could potentially benefit from it.
Following a recommendation made by the "Independent Review of Aquaculture Consenting" in 2016 (an independent review jointly commissioned by Marine Scotland and The Crown Estate to objectively review the entirety of the aquaculture consenting process), and with effect from November 2020, regulation of marine fish farming wellboats and their chemical medicine discharges in Scotland has now been consolidated, by virtue of certain regulatory responsibilities being transferred from Marine Scotland to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).