Chamber and committees

Our final agenda item is consideration of a consent notification relating to a United Kingdom statutory instrument. I refer members to papers 3 and 4, which are from page 17 forwards in the meeting pack. Do members have any comments on the notification?

As there are no comments, are members content to agree with the Scottish Government’s decision to consent to the provisions that are set out in the notification being included in UK rather than Scottish subordinate legislation?

Members indicated agreement.

Alasdair Allan has a supplementary question.

Good morning, and welcome to the 29th meeting in 2022 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. I remind committee members who are using electronic devices to switch them to silent.

Our first item of business is an evidence session on petition PE1490, on the control of wild goose numbers, which was lodged by Patrick Krause on behalf of the Scottish Crofting Federation. From NatureScot, I am pleased to welcome to the meeting Rae McKenzie, who is the policy and operations manager, and Morag Milne, who is the wildlife policy officer.

Before we begin with questions from Finlay Carson, will you provide an update on where we are with the five-year review of goose management in Scotland? Would Rae or Morag set the scene regarding that?

Who wants to take the question?

That was a helpful explanation.

I have a question relating to where geese populations are found. I hear from constituents in Shetland that the issue is becoming increasingly damaging. I have been told that geese are eating a huge portion of grass that is needed for pregnant or nursing ewes and that that is an increasing expense for crofters and farmers. We have not touched on Shetland at all. What do you know about geese numbers in Shetland?

That follows on from what you said about taking action to control numbers early doors, rather than letting the issue build up and become a problem.

That is helpful. Thank you for that. We will go to Finlay Carson for his questions.

Does that answer your question, Finlay?

Jim Fairlie has questions about distribution.