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I expect island communities impact assessments to be part of the work that Government does. When there is a disproportionate impact, those impact assessments should be undertaken, much in the same way as we do BRIAs and equality impact assessments and provide fairer funding. I expect that it forms part of what portfolios are looking at.

I do not have them in front of me, but I expect that they have been done. I can follow that up with the committee and provide confirmation.

You are absolutely right. It is very similar to the conversation that we have just had on forestry. Peatland restoration is still a relatively young industry. We want to see it continue to build and grow, and we need that confidence to enable that to happen. That means that we must continue to provide funding to enable growth to take place and, exactly as you have said, to ensure that we build the skills, career opportunities and training opportunities. I believe that the funding that we have available in the budget this year puts us in that positive space, where we are able to restore more and, I hope, continue to build confidence in the industry.

In a minute, I will hand over to Iain Wallace, who will be able to provide further detail.

The work on MPAs and PMFs is led by the net zero portfolio, although it sits within the marine directorate. We consulted on offshore measures last year and the results of that consultation are being analysed.

As I have told the committee, there are resource pressures on specific areas of work right across Government. The work on the inshore marine protected areas and the PMFs has taken a lot longer than was anticipated, purely because that has been such a big and complex piece of work on more than 160 different sites. We have proceeded with the offshore element, but I cannot provide a more specific timeframe for the work on the inshore element. I emphasise that that is a big and complex piece of work and one that is still very much on-going.

Iain may be able to give some further information.

We listened really carefully to the outcomes of that consultation and to what islanders are saying about a new national islands plan. All of that will be taken into consideration. As the committee will be aware, we are in the process of developing a new national islands plan, and we are considering how best to update the first plan to reflect the needs of island communities. There will, of course, be further engagement on that as we go forward. We have to listen carefully to what islanders are telling us.

I am happy to do that. I will break down the overall funding that is available in the agriculture reform programme. I think that the delivery costs of the programme are staying at the same level, which is £5 million. On the national test programme, importantly, we now have capital available over the course of the year contributing to that. Previously, when we have had higher amounts allocated to the national test programme, we have not been able to fully utilise that funding.

In previous meetings, we have talked about the level of claims that have come through for the preparing for sustainable farming—PSF—scheme. We have allocated an amount that we believe will be fully utilised by the claims that are coming through. In a year in which we will make some requirements for the whole-farm plan mandatory, such as those on carbon audits, soil sampling analysis and animal health and welfare plans, it is important that we continue to provide support for that. That is a reflection of the greater level of spend that we have been able to undertake over the past few years.

I ask officials to comment on some of those points, because they have more of the detailed information.

You have touched on a really important point, particularly in relation to the River Annan. You are absolutely right about what Fisheries Management Scotland has said. If the motion to annul was passed, there would be a big economic impact, particularly on that area, because it would mean that the early season would be unlawful, which would have a significant impact. That is another vital reason why the regulations need to proceed. I hope that the motion to annul is not supported today.

I am sure that officials can provide more detail on that. When it comes to wild salmon conservation, a number of pieces of work are under way. I mentioned in my opening comments the wild salmon strategy and its implementation. Over the past few years, we have invested nearly £5 million in actions as part of that strategy, including those relating to the counter network.

You raise a really important point. As we have said, we work on the best available data. Of course, wherever we can improve it, we would like to do so. You have just heard about the investment that is taking place in the counter network. Dr Middlemas touched on the fact that part of the methodology that we use will be peer reviewed, but he also pointed out that the methodology and the way that we use the data that we have hold up internationally. We look forward to the outcome of the peer review process, and, where there are recommendations for areas of improvement, we will consider them.