Seòmar agus comataidhean

Good morning, and welcome to the 17th meeting in 2024 of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee. Before we begin, I ask everybody to ensure that all electronic devices are switched to silent.

Our first item of business is consideration of whether to take item 4 in private. Are we all agreed to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

That leads us to a question from Beatrice Wishart.

Ariane Burgess has a supplementary question.

Do you think those improvements are the result of better enforcement of counts and sanctions, or has there been a general improvement in the industry’s ability to deal with sea lice?

Are you satisfied that you have the appropriate staff and financial resources to carry out your function adequately?

Yes—go ahead.

Our next item of business is the continuation of our follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland. We will hear from the fish health inspectorate, which is part of the marine directorate of the Scottish Government and is tasked with monitoring compliance with aquaculture health regulations. I am pleased to welcome to the meeting Charles Allan, the group leader at the fish health inspectorate. Also joining us today is Edward Mountain MSP. I will bring you in to ask your questions at the end of committee members’ questions, Mr Mountain. Do you have any relevant interests to declare?

In previous sessions, we have heard that some physical sites are more prone to larger sea lice populations. Do you have any role in looking at sea lice populations when it comes to the consenting process? Can you rule out some sites because they have the potential for a higher sea lice load than others? Do you have a role in planning and consent?

Are you aware of advancements in research on the breeding of infertile fish, which would reduce the potential impact of interaction between wild fish and farm fish in the event of escapes?

Thank you very much. That was a mammoth session, and we appreciate the extra time that you have been able to give us. We have certainly delved into the topic.