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So, there has been no weakening of rights for LGBTQ people across the Nordic region.

It is excellent to see you in front of the committee this morning, ambassador. I want to ask you about the green transition priority during the Icelandic presidency, and in particular the conversation about the transition away from oil and gas. I am aware that the Danish climate minister, Dan Jørgensen, has established the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance. I recognise that the Nordic countries are at very different starting points when it comes to their access to energy resources, but to what extent is the transition away from oil and gas, and where the solutions may lie, now a Nordic conversation?

I was reading the introduction and the comments of Katrín Jakobsdóttir. She says:

“We will also greatly emphasise working together against the setback, which has occurred in the struggle for the rights of LGBTQ people”.

Can you say a bit more about what she means by that? What was the setback?

Katrín Jakobsdóttir, in the foreword to the “The Nordic Region—A Force for Peace”.

Is the Nordic Council of Ministers able to discuss the transition away from oil and gas, or are there difficulties there?

I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. I take this opportunity to be the first to welcome her back to her position as cabinet secretary and pay tribute to the considerable leadership that we have seen from her over the past two years.

The commission’s report highlighted that

“a dog bred for racing in Scotland currently has poorer welfare than ... other dogs”.

The inherent risks of injury and death associated with racing greyhounds at up to 40 mph round oval tracks, alongside the lack of a veterinary presence at unlicensed tracks, led the commission to conclude that a phase-out of greyhound racing is “desirable”. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is now time to explore options for a phase-out in a way that leaves no dogs behind?

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s recommendation that no further new greyhound tracks be permitted in Scotland. (S6O-02087)

You also conclude that a phasing out of greyhound racing would be desirable. How do you think that would work, and what is the difference between phasing it out and an outright ban?

Thanks.

Yes, thank you, convener.

It has been a very interesting and enlightening evidence session, and I have just a couple of quick questions. First, one situation highlighted in the report is of greyhounds living and being trained in Scotland but going to race in England, where there is more of a greyhound racing industry. In that scenario, you have recommended independent regulation. Can you explain the Scottish Government’s powers in relation to that aspect of regulation? We have not touched on that yet.