Seòmar agus comataidhean

I thank the cabinet secretary and officials for joining us this morning and for the helpful advice that they have provided, and I suspend the meeting to allow our witnesses to leave.

Our third item is consideration of the Official Controls (Transitional Staging Period) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (SSI 2022/90). The instrument has been made using powers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

The process for consideration of instruments that are laid under the 2018 act consists of two parts. First, the committee must agree whether it is content that the parliamentary procedure that has been designated to the instrument by the Scottish Government is appropriate. I refer members to paper 3, which starts on page 14 of the briefing pack.

The Scottish Government has designated the negative procedure for this Scottish statutory instrument. Are members content that the negative parliamentary procedure that has been designated to the instrument by the Scottish Government is appropriate? I ask members to raise their hand or to type R in the chat box if participating remotely.

Members indicated agreement.

We turn to the policy of the instrument. If members have any comments on the instrument, they should raise their hand or type R in the chat box if participating remotely.

Members will have seen the proposal that is set out on page 17 of the members’ pack. Are members content to write to the Scottish Government to ask why it considers it necessary to introduce this exemption, which, unless the transitional staging period is extended for a fourth time, would be in place for only approximately six weeks, between 12 May and 30 June 2022, and for an update regarding the transitional staging period beyond 30 June 2022?

Members indicated agreement.

Yes, we can do that.

I absolutely agree. We can always learn lessons and there is no point in reinventing the wheel.

Jenni Minto has the next question.

Good morning, and welcome to the 14th meeting in 2022 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. Apologies have been received from the convener, Finlay Carson, and we welcome Edward Mountain as a substitute. We will also welcome Emma Harper for part of the meeting, as Jim Fairlie has to leave for approximately 90 minutes.

Our second item of business is an evidence session on the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 annual report. I am pleased to welcome Mairi Gougeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, and her Scottish Government officials: Erica Clarkson, who is the head of islands policy and communities; Nicola Crook, who is the national islands plan team leader; Professor Francesco Sindico, who is the carbon neutral islands team leader; and Philip Raines.

I invite the cabinet secretary to make some opening remarks.

Thank you, cabinet secretary. What does the annual report say about the overall progress towards meeting the 13 strategic objectives? You have already referenced reducing fuel poverty. To what extent have the objectives of addressing population decline and improving transport services already been met? You will not be surprised that I am interested in the latter.

Everybody wants to ask so many questions. We can pick up the subject if it comes up again in questions from other members.

Emma Harper has a supplementary question.