Chamber and committees

Do any of the other panellists want to come in?

A number of you have mentioned considerations around waste crime. That is a consideration in the bill and it is a challenge more widely for all of us. Further to what you have said already, do you have any thoughts as to what additional measures the bill could take to tackle waste crime? That includes fly-tipping, but feel free to broaden it out to any points beyond that. I know that Mr Fraser will ask about fly-tipping more specifically.

I should just state that, in different ways, fly-tipping is as much of a concern in urban Scotland as it is in rural Scotland, although I appreciate the significant challenges in rural Scotland.

Does anyone want to make a point?

That is interesting. Enforcement is a consideration but, in your view, being more punitive is potentially a less practical solution, and creating more opportunities for recycling, reuse and upcycling would have greater potential to effect change.

As we move towards a conclusion, there are a few issues on which I would like to hear the witnesses’ views. What are the most problematic waste streams that should be subject to waste or surplus reporting? What criteria should the Scottish ministers apply when deciding which waste streams to prioritise for such reporting?

Thanks for that. I will go to Kim Pratt and then James Mackenzie.

It is all about being cognisant of unintended consequences.

That is interesting. Building on that, food providers currently have relationships with FareShare, and big retail companies have relationships with community third sector organisations—indeed, that happens in my constituency. You talked about legislation being key—obviously, we are looking at a bill—but, as part of the practical implementation of the circular economy, should the state be doing more to connect such organisations so that we get that flow-through and ensure the utilisation of products rather than the creation of waste?

Many international producers operate here in Scotland. What about the challenge of legislating in one place when producers have a wider operation?

Thank you.

Thank you; that was very helpful. Does anyone else wish to comment?