Seòmar agus comataidhean

We would like to follow up the matter and find out why that requirement was dropped. You have laid the responsibility for that decision at the Scottish Government’s door. If we do not know why it is at that door when we come to ask the question, Monica Lennon cannot ask the right question.

Douglas Lumsden has a brief question.

Okay—absolutely; that is what I was expecting.

Michael, the only person looking at you is Andrew, so I will bring him in now and then we will see what everyone else has to say.

Monica Lennon has the next question.

I am sorry to jump in, but I would like to press you on that. You are laying the blame on the Scottish Government. Did you give the Scottish Government a view on whether the default requirement to monitor nitrogen in the soil should be included?

The next question is from me, and a yes or no answer from each of the witnesses would be helpful.

Have any of you ever completed a compensation claim for game damage?

I agree with that. I imagine that it is sometimes difficult to quantify the claim because you do not know whether the crop will or will not germinate as a result of the damage. Sometimes you have to wait for harvest to see what the crop loss will be in order to quantify your claim.

There were interesting comments there.

Douglas Lumsden has the next question.

You do not get a second chance if you say no first. You should have said the other bit first and then said no at the end, but you did not do that.

Thanks very much for giving evidence this morning. It is really helpful as we go through the bill. I appreciate your coming in to help the committee in our deliberations.

We move into private session.

Bob Doris, I ask you to ask your question very briefly.