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Thank you for those interesting responses. What underlies that for me is the need to look at better paid jobs and more job security so that people have more money in their pockets from their job and can afford the good food that is being produced in Scotland.

Item 2 is consideration of two negative Scottish statutory instruments. There is no requirement for the committee to make any recommendation on negative instruments.

I will invite comments on the instruments in turn. Do members wish to comment on the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2022?

Members indicated disagreement.

Good morning and welcome to the 13th meeting in 2022 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. We have received apologies from Mark Griffin.

I ask all members to ensure that their mobile phones are on silent, and that all other notifications are turned off during the meeting.

Item 1 is to decide whether to take item 3 in private. Do members agree to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Members have no comments. Thank you.

Does the committee agree that we do not wish to make any recommendation in relation to either instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Okay. Members have no comments on the order.

Do members have comments on the Council Tax Reduction and Council Tax (Discounts) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2022?

Members indicated disagreement.

As we agreed at the start of the meeting to take the next item in private, I close the public part of the meeting.

Mark, you said in your statement that there is virtually no greyhound racing industry in Scotland. I read in the background papers that greyhounds are initially raised in Ireland. I am beginning to get the picture that it is a cross-border industry and that dogs come from elsewhere to race at Thornton, but could you explain that a bit more?

Jim Fairlie asked about the fact that there are no vets at Thornton, and you talked about euthanasia in your opening statement. How does euthanasia happen at Thornton? You might not know.

Thank you for that. I will pick up on what you said in your opening remarks about now being the time to act, for various reasons. What timescale is now in your mind for this opportunity, because of Covid and with Shawfield closing?

Thank you for that. Bear with me, as I have a few more questions.

You have kind of spoken about this, but I want to hear a bit more about it. The Scottish Government has voiced a commitment to ensuring that sentience is taken into consideration in animal welfare. What needs to change in order for greyhounds to be afforded the level of protection that they deserve as sentient beings?