Seòmar agus comataidhean

There are 11 responses that express a variety of views, and it is interesting to read them. That might need to be followed up as we move forward.

I want to pick up on what you said about the broader impacts of the bill. The issue is not just clause 42. Are we worried about other issues?

NFU Scotland’s response to the call for views didnae really talk about clause 42, but it considered that gene editing techniques could have potential benefits for

“food, nutrition, agriculture, biodiversity and climate change.”

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the bill’s broader impacts in Scotland.

Yes, but I have a couple of other questions first, if that is okay.

I am reading some statistics on Scotland’s agricultural output. In 2021, it contributed £3.6 billion to the economy in gross value added, according to the Food and Drink Federation Scotland. We know that there is really good animal welfare in agriculture in Scotland, and that there are direct links between our health, our climate and food production and the availability of food in Scotland. What is Food Standards Scotland’s role in promoting a healthy diet in the context of climate change and food production in Scotland so that we can achieve a balance and support our agricultural producers?

Picking up on Gillian Mackay’s point, I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 12 years old, so I have been counting carbs since I was a wean. There are apps that can be used to look at that. It is not just about salt and sugar; it is about high-glucose-index versus low-glucose-index carbs. It is really complicated. Does Food Standards Scotland have, or would you look at having, digital support directly on your website to support the downloading of apps, for instance, so that folk such as Gillian and me could use diabetes dose adjustment for normal eating, which helps all type 1s to count carbs? That would be useful. Could Food Standards Scotland look at delivering that digitally?

Thank you. Talking of evidence and stuff like that, last week I was at a Quality Meat Scotland event in the Scottish Parliament, which was sponsored by Jim Fairlie MSP. Professor Alice Stanton gave a presentation on red meat. The red meat supply chain generates more than £2 billion annually for the Scottish economy. Professor Stanton, who is a cardiovascular pharmacologist from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, presented information to counter what has been published in The Lancet on what people’s red meat intake should be in a day—70g, which is two slices of roast meat or two sausages. She said that the information in The Lancet did not meet the criteria for proper scrutiny under the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses—PRISMA—guidelines, which relate to the global burden of disease. She suggested that the standard recommendation—70g of meat per day—which is repeated by everyone, had not been adequately researched.

Is Food Standards Scotland aware of Professor Alice Stanton’s information? Does it mean that the recommendations for red meat consumption need to be revised?

You talked about different local authorities and how they engage. Some local authorities are looking to sign up to the Plant Based Treaty and are talking about taking meat away from schools and care homes. Is that something that you are aware of? Would you endorse that? We have just talked about red meat and how the evidence base shows that people are required to have it as part of a balanced diet. Are you concerned about the Plant Based Treaty?

I have a final question, which is directed to Gordon Arthur. Dumfries Cricket Club, which is based at Nunholm, has adopted a one-club ethos as part of its strategy to grow the club. Its website states:

“We are an open and inclusive cricket club. We welcome everyone of any age, sex, sexual orientation, ability or ethnicity.”

It also talks about the one-club ethos being critical as part of its development. Will Cricket Scotland monitor that on the ground? Though the Western District Cricket Union, will you adopt and deliver that as something that you want to emulate across all cricket clubs?

How are people being communicated with? Is it face to face?

Good morning, everybody, and thanks for coming. Forbes Dunlop mentioned that there are people behind all the issues that we are hearing about. Some folk have very bravely come forward. I am interested in the progress that has been made in dealing with the complaints that are under formal investigation. Either Mr Dunlop or Mr Arthur said that a couple of disciplinary cases are outstanding from the end of last season and that those are still under review. What progress has been made on those reviews? At the end of the action plan, a review of referrals is mentioned. The plan came out yesterday, and I am reading it right now. An update on the investigations into the complaints would be helpful.

I have a quick question for Geoff Ogle about the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. The UK Government has introduced the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill. Does that mean that Scottish farmers will be impacted by a policy that we do not have control over because of the UK Government’s 2020 act? Does that mean that Scottish farmers will have to accept genetically edited products? Agriculture is devolved to Scotland, but I am concerned that, because of the 2020 act, the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill will impact on Scottish farmers.