Chamber and committees

The annual report demonstrates the importance of local authorities to the delivery of the islands plan. Is the Scottish Government confident that island councils have enough money to meet the aspirations of the national islands plan, bearing in mind that some budgets have been cut quite significantly in real terms?

We have received clarification, and I am satisfied with what has been provided.

In giving that example, I was meaning more that the Government had treated it as a tick-box exercise and was perhaps not listening to what the islands were saying.

On the point about ICIAs being done well, what if communities disagree with the conclusions? Is there any recourse for those communities?

Thank you for that.

Good morning. [Interruption.] Sorry—I have a frog in my throat.

You touched on the percentage reductions in compensation and explained the matter well. Can you explain how the Government decided on the levels of compensation?

Yes.

That is helpful. On the issue of animal cleanliness, the Scottish Beef Association and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland noted that it should be assessed on the farm and not in the abattoir, because once animals are loaded, the farmer or keeper loses control of the cleanliness. Can you respond to that?

It is a different thing.

Where will that lead? What is the timescale after that?