Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo: EIR release

Information requested

You asked for 'Please provide me with any correspondence or notes relating to the pandas at Edinburgh Zoo since the start of 2023.' 

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested. You can find this information in the attached annexes. 

An exception under regulation 11(2) of the EIRs (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. This exception is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. 

An exception under regulation 10(5)(a) International relations of the EIRs applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, cause substantial prejudice to international relations. This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in Scottish Government correspondence relating to the pandas at Edinburgh Zoo. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that relations between the UK and another state are not harmed. 

An exception under regulation 10(5)(f) Third party interests of the EIRs applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies as disclosure would, or be likely to, cause substantial prejudice to the interests of a person who provided information voluntarily to the Scottish Government. 

This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in Scottish Government correspondence relating to the pandas at Edinburgh Zoo. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that the interests of third parties who provide information voluntarily to the Scottish Government are not prejudiced. 

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Annex A Email in scope 1 Redacted document

File type

2 page PDF

File size

131.7 kB

Annex B Email in scope 2 Redacted document

File type

1 page PDF

File size

122.3 kB