Seòmar agus comataidhean

What are the timescales for this?

I come back again to the minister. It has been quite some time since the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission published its report. Are you suggesting that you have done nothing about perhaps introducing such a scheme? Have you not considered it at all, or have you done something about it?

That concludes our questions. I would welcome your commitment to come back to this committee when you can answer some of the questions that you could not answer today, because, in my opinion, we have not gained very much information on what the Government’s position is, although I understand that you are looking at the issue of licensing. Can you commit to come back to this committee when you have come to a conclusion on the future of greyhound racing in Scotland?

Thank you. That concludes our business in public.

Can we also agree to consider our annual report and take an update on petition PE1490, on the control of wild goose numbers, in private at our next meeting?

Members indicated agreement.

For clarification, my original question was about how we protect racing dogs at different stages of their lives, from birth through to racing and retirement. I think that Emma Roddick’s supplementary question was about how to protect the dogs that go and race south of the border on GBGB tracks.

Before we move on, can I get your views on whether, at independent tracks, the social benefits outweigh any animal welfare concerns? Is that what you are suggesting?

So you do not have a position on it.

Thank you.

Do you agree with the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission that, although kennels might provide adequate care, they do not appear to be compatible with giving dogs a good quality of life?

Okay, that is fine. Thank you.