Seòmar agus comataidhean

I have one quick question for Patrick Krause—it is good to see you here in person. A BBC report three years ago said that meat from wild geese shot in Orkney was to go on sale across Scotland for the first time. Do you have any knowledge of how that went?

My questions are for Scott Walker and Elspeth Macdonald. Mike Rivington has already referred to the long-term need to look at the transformation of the entire food system, and Professor Matthews mentioned the acceleration of the direction of travel. Is there anything that you would like to say that has not already been said about medium to long-term needs and increasing the resilience of domestic food production? For example, do you have any thoughts on the on-going reform of agriculture and fisheries policies?

This point is for Elspeth Macdonald. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Lerwick fish market and seeing for myself the fantastic variety of high-quality fish being landed. Much of the fish that is caught in UK waters is exported, while much of the fish that is eaten in the UK is imported. When we look at future food security—recognising what you have said about spatial planning at sea—what role does the domestic fishing industry play?

Would you describe it as a crisis?

That is a good point.

I thank Gill Docherty and Jacqueline Brown for their evidence, which has been quite enlightening. If a ban is introduced, is there a danger that the sport will go underground and become more difficult to regulate?

That is my understanding.

That concludes our business in public.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take item 3 in private. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

Our second item of business is consideration of the Sea Fisheries (Amendment etc) Regulations 2022. I refer members to page 3 of paper 1. Under the protocol between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, this consent notification has been categorised as type 1, meaning that the Scottish Parliament’s agreement is sought before the Scottish Government gives consent to the United Kingdom Government to make secondary legislation in devolved competence.

If any member has any comments on the consent notification, please raise your hand or type R in the chat box. Is the committee content that the provisions set out in the notification should be included in the proposed UK statutory instrument? Please raise your hand or type N in the chat box if you do not agree; otherwise I will presume that members are content.

Members indicated agreement.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the 11th meeting in 2022 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. Before we begin, I remind committee members who are using electronic devices to switch them to silent.

We have a substitute for Finlay Carson. I welcome Brian Whittle to the meeting and invite him to declare any relevant interests.

Finally, is the committee content to delegate authority to me to sign off a letter to the Scottish Government, informing it of our decision?

Members indicated agreement.