Chamber and committees

Over the past few meetings of the committee, we have heard a lot about the general problems in the supply chain and about the solutions. However, I want to get into some detail about the agriculture sector, in particular. A lot was released this week and last week about the problems in the supply chain and the knock-on effect on food prices, inflation and the like.

I will first ask Professor Ridgway about automation in agriculture, which subject I am delighted that he introduced. Will you expand on exactly what work you are doing, what support is needed and when you see some of those things coming to fruition and having an impact on problems in the supply chain?

My second question is for Nick Shields and is also about agriculture. Material inputs, such as the key input of fertiliser, are experiencing issues. What is Scottish Enterprise doing specifically to address that?

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests regarding agriculture.

Thank you.

I certainly agree with having better and more appropriate regulation.

Stephen Kemp, do you want to come in on the opportunity for Scottish timber to be used in construction in Scotland?

[Inaudible.]—I sat on a working group 15 years ago, and I am afraid that the same issues were being discussed then. Would Bill Ireland like to come in?

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests in relation to my interests in construction, house building and timber frame kit manufacture.

I thank the witnesses for everything that they have said in their hugely valuable contributions. My question coming into the meeting was about the opportunities for Scotland to grow the domestic supply chain. The witnesses have covered that extensively, so I will narrow the question down a bit.

A couple of the witnesses touched on some of the impediments to growing the supply chain. Gordon Banks mentioned negative aspects of building regulations on the strength of blocks and how they are not appropriate for different types of build. Stephen Kemp mentioned home-grown timber—I note my interest in forestry as well. Storm Arwen has just flattened millions of tonnes of timber throughout Scotland. Very little will now make it into the Scottish construction industry because of the building regulations and standards. That was corrected in Ireland, where the standards were changed.

I ask the witnesses to give any other examples of what they think are necessary changes to building regulations and to put on the record an idea of the scale of the benefits that small changes could have for addressing the problems that we face.

Despite a lot of our inquiry understandably focusing on local issues, it is clear that the shortages and issues are affecting the whole world. It is a global issue. What solutions have the witnesses seen elsewhere in the world? How informed are your Asian or American counterparts, for example? What are they saying and doing? What are they feeding into their Governments? As we come to the end of this evidence session, this is an opportunity for you to raise any solutions that might not have been mentioned.

Thank you very much. I put my original question to Colin Smith.

Do you have any interaction with similar bodies in other countries, such as an American retail consortium, or any at state level?

I have two questions that I hope will be quick. I will ask them together.

The first is for Richard Ballantyne. How can free ports improve the resilience of Scotland’s supply infrastructure? Does Mr Ballantyne have any views on how many there should be and where they should be located for Scotland’s maximum benefit?

My second question is for Professor Fernandes. His submission is interesting and I concur with everything that it says. It talks about how the supply chains are evolving and unusual but, without being cheeky, I would say that it just suggests that more research is needed, which might sound like—[Inaudible.]. This is a relatively short committee inquiry to make suggestions to the Scottish Parliament and Government. Is Professor Fernandes able to suggest any solutions and specific policies for the immediate benefit of the supply chain?

Professor Fernandes, do you have any short-term policy suggestions that could be implemented while we wait for more research?