Seòmar agus comataidhean

Much of the information that we have been looking at comes from Paul Fernandes of Heriot-Watt University. In a paper that he produced, he said that what we are seeing

“indicates that the fisheries research at MSS, unlike equivalent institutions, has ... been in decline for over a decade and is now at very low levels.”

As a result, he said,

“the amount and quality of research in the traditional core areas of fisheries has diminished.”

Do you not agree with him that,

“Without adequate understanding of their demise, nor appropriate scientific research into how they might recover, their status, and those of the rural and island communities that depend on them, remain in the balance”?

On that point, can you give us a better indication of timescales? The issue surrounding inshore fisheries groups was raised by the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in the previous session of Parliament, but there does not seem to have been a lot of progress. You say that there will be a consultation, but what is your target for getting final details about how our regional inshore fisheries groups will look?

We move to consider the broader themes of the rural affairs budget and other overarching rural issues. We come first to questions from Rachael Hamilton.

I think that Rachael Hamilton still has a brief question.

There are some questions that are still to be answered, and I am very conscious of time, so the committee will maybe discuss that issue and write for more clarification. Thank you.

We move to the impact of budget cuts on service delivery, with a question from Ariane Burgess.

On that, there is a commitment to 70 per cent just now, so are you suggesting that there might be a degree of modulation in the future that would see some of that 70 per cent redistributed to tiers 3 and 4? Are you considering that?

We have had a wide-ranging discussion. There is still quite a level of uncertainty over this. The committee has no desire to reach this cliff edge, but there is flexibility with regard to when we can make a decision on the instrument. Therefore, I am minded to defer formal consideration of the motion to approve the instrument until a future committee meeting, if members are happy to do that. That would also give the minister time to consider whether it would be wise to reconsider and to withdraw the instrument for future considerations.

On that basis, does the committee agree to defer formal consideration of the motion to a future committee meeting?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. I just wanted to make that clear.

We move to our final theme, which is the national islands plan, and a question from Emma Roddick.

We move to agenda item 3, which is the formal consideration of the motion to approve the instrument. I invite the minister to move the motion.

Motion moved,

That the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recommends that the Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2024 [draft] be approved.—[Jim Fairlie]

Motion agreed to.

Item 4 is consideration of another affirmative SSI. I note that the Scottish Government has issued a correction slip for the explanatory note that accompanies the instrument. I welcome back to the meeting Jim Fairlie, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity. I also welcome his officials, James Muldoon, who is the head of the agriculture support policy development unit, and Lewis Kerr, who is a solicitor.

I invite the minister to make some brief opening remarks.