Consultation on the proposed introduction of new statutory scallop fishing management measures

Annex A: The Scottish Government Consultation Process

Consultation is an essential and important aspect of the Scottish Government's working methods. Given the wide-ranging areas of work of the Scottish Government, there are many varied types of consultation. In general, Scottish Government consultation exercises aim to provide opportunities for all those who wish to express their opinions on a proposed area of work to do so in ways which will inform and enhance that work.

The Scottish Government encourages consultation that is thorough, effective and appropriate to the issue under consideration and the nature of the target audience. Consultation exercises take account of a wide range of factors and no two exercises are likely to be the same.

Typically Scottish Government consultations involve a consultation paper inviting answers to specific questions or more general views about the material presented. Consultation papers are distributed to organisations and individuals with an interest in the issue, electronically or in hard copy and are placed on the Scottish Government's consultations webpage to allow for participation from a wider audience.

All Scottish Government consultation papers and related publications ( e.g., analysis of response reports) can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations

The views and suggestions detailed in consultation responses are analysed and used as part of the decision making process, along with a range of other available information and evidence. Depending on the nature of the consultation exercise the responses received may:

indicate the need for policy development or review
inform the development of a particular policy
help decisions to be made between alternative policy proposals
be used to finalise legislation before it is implemented

Final decisions on the issues under consideration will also take account of a range of other factors, including other available information and research evidence.

While details of particular circumstances described in a response to a consultation exercise may usefully inform the policy process, consultation exercises cannot address individual concerns and comments, which should be directed to the relevant public body.