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Yes—sorry.

First, it is important to ensure that we do not conflate different issues. As I noted earlier, there is a difference in a situation in which you are dealing with mortalities that are because of a disease on that site, a listed disease or issues that involve environmental concerns that you cannot predict.

Jill Barber wants to come in.

As I said, in relation to the overall provisions and legislation that we have set out, I believe that we have the right powers in place to deal with any issues. If the committee has any particular recommendations in that regard, I am happy to hear them. Of course, we are always open to considering where any potential enhancements to animal welfare can be made, but it is not our intention to take forward work on that at the moment.

I mentioned some of the UK animal welfare committee’s recommendations on that, and we are actively considering those at the moment. Overall, I believe that the legislation and policies that we have in place allow us to deal with that.

I point to a response that was given earlier in the evidence session. You just heard at length about the work that is being undertaken through the consenting task group. It is important to point out that that could be a future iteration of that work. How we take that forward could relate to moving sites or something else. That would still have to go through the application process, but that could be part of a future iteration of that work.

The overall theme, which I hope that I have been able to express today, is that, ultimately, we want the right development in the right place. The frameworks that are being developed are aiming towards ensuring that we have that. That will continue to be a work in progress.

Yes.

That would very much depend on whether it was a temporary measure or something more permanent. Does Jill Barber have more information?

Hazel Bartels will be able to provide more information on that.

I have talked about the progress that has been made. Since 2020, we have introduced the mandatory controls, and it is also important that we review the evidence that has come out of them. As I have said, we have the evidence from 2021 and 2022, and we are still working through and publishing the data from 2023.

As far as the appropriate assessments are concerned, they will not have been carried out. We are waiting on the advice from NatureScot to inform the appropriate assessment that will take place.

I would have to go back and look at the exact timescales in relation to what work has been done following receipt of that report. I would be happy to follow up on that with the committee. However, I reiterate that we have taken action since 2020, and we are taking further action, as I have outlined.

I am open to considering any particular recommendations in that regard.