Dear Mr Hamilton,

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF BEAVERS AT KNAPDALE

Thank you for your request for information relating to the documentation supporting the decision to re-introduce beavers at Knapdale forest which we received on 1^st July. Your request has been handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

The information you requested refers to a decision made by the Scottish Government following a public consultation. The Scottish Parliament does not hold this information and so we cannot provide it to you.

The Scottish Beaver Trial (SBT) is a partnership project run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the Forestry Commission Scotland(FCS). Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is the independent body tasked by the Scottish Government to co-ordinate scientific monitoring of the project.

More information about the beaver trial is available her:

http://www.snh.org.uk/_gsearch.asp?q=beavers+at+knapdale&x=5&y=9

The documents you seek may be available from the Scottish Government. Contact details for environmental matters are enclosed at the following link:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats

Email: [email address]

Fax: 0131 244 7163

Contact details for making a freedom of information request to the Scottish Government are enclosed here:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/FOI/access

We would welcome feedback or comment on how we handled your request. Please feel free to contact the FOI Specialist at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP or by e-mail at [Scottish Parliament request email]

Please find below Annex A, which explains how we handle FOI requests and reviews.

Yours sincerely

Claire Turnbull

FOI Specialist

Annex A

REQUESTS MADE UNDER

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002

How we handle FOI requests

Information on how we handle FOI requests is available on the Parliament's website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/corporate/foi

Alternatively, please contact the Parliament's Public Information Service to request a copy.

Review

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we have dealt with your request for information, you can ask us to review our decision and actions. You must do this in writing (or other permanent form) within 40 working days of the date of this letter, stating the reasons for your dissatisfaction, and we will respond within 20 working days of receipt. A request for a review should be made to the FOI Specialist:

Post: FOI Specialist

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 6913 (RNID Typetalk calls welcome)

Textphone: 0131 348 3415

Fax: 0131 348 5378

E-mail: [Scottish Parliament request email]

Application to the Scottish Information Commissioner

If, on the outcome of any review, you are still dissatisfied, or if we are unable to resolve any other complaint, then you can contact the Scottish Information Commissioner:

Post: The Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner

Kinburn Castle

Doubledykes Road

St Andrews

Fife

KY16 9DS

Telephone: 01334 464610

Fax: 01334 464611

Website: www.itspublicknowledge.info

E-mail: [email address]

A decision by the Scottish Information Commissioner may be appealed, on a point of law, to the Court of Session.

Copyright in relation to information provided

The supply of information under FOI does not constitute permission for its use in a way that would infringe copyright. Where relevant, you should obtain permission from the copyright holder before any such use.

Feedback or comment

We would welcome feedback or comment on how we handled your request. Please contact the FOI Specialist.

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which we dealt with your enquiry, then you may wish to raise the matter with the FOI Specialist.

How to contact us

Post: The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh

EH99 1SP

Telephone: 0131 348 5000

0800 092 7500 (Public Enquiries)

0131 348 5395 (Ghàidhlig)

Textphone users can contact us on 0800 092 7100

We also welcome calls using the RNID Typetalk service.

Fax: 0131 348 5601

E-mail: [email address]