Seòmar agus comataidhean

On that point, can I have your views on where Scotland should or should not seek alignment with the EU? Would you like to respond on that, Mike?

I am sorry, Mike, but I will stop you there. We cannot hear you at the moment. We will go to Kirsty Jenkins, and we will hopefully get your connection stabilised a bit. Do you have any comments, Kirsty?

Jim Fairlie has a brief supplementary question.

Simon, will you explore the suggestion that something like 20 per cent of mortality in the livestock industry in Scotland could be prevented by vaccination? What is your opinion on the introduction of a national vaccination scheme to address some of the issues that Jim Fairlie has raised?

That would be helpful.

Good morning, and welcome to the sixth meeting in session 6 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. Before we begin, I remind all members using electronic devices to turn them to silent. I must also apologise for the delay—we had a technical issue. I thank the minister and the witnesses in the following evidence-taking session for their patience.

Agenda item 1 is consideration of a set of amendment regulations, which are subject to the affirmative procedure. I refer members to paper 1. I welcome to the meeting Màiri McAllan, Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform, and her officials: Tim Gordon-Roberts, regulations manager, Scottish Forestry; and Amy Hogarth, solicitor, Scottish Government.

I invite the minister to make an opening statement.

Thank you, minister. I invite questions from members.

Was there any suggestion that there were bodies out there that were looking to use this loophole to fell trees without going through the proper process? Is that why these amendment regulations are being put in place?

As there are no further questions, we move to item 2, which is formal consideration of motion S6M-01170, to approve the regulations.

Motion moved,

That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment recommends that the Forestry (Exemptions) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 be approved.—[Màiri McAllan]

Motion agreed to.

I have one general question to finish, but I would prefer it if the panel members could write to the committee with their responses. The provisions of the UK Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill on the controlling of imports of domestic animals and modernising zoo licensing will have specific implications in Scotland. It would be most helpful if you could feed back your views on whether those implications might cause issues here, and comment on any engagement or consultations that you have had on that bill.

Thank you all very much for your contributions. I very much appreciate your patience, given the IT problems. I have no doubt that we will come back to you at some point later in the session to explore more fully some of the issues that have been raised today.

That brings this part of the meeting to an end, and we will now move into private.