Chamber and committees

And rough shooting does not.

Minister, with regard to the points about the investigative powers of Police Scotland, have you had a conversation with Police Scotland about the potential for increased numbers of complaints—vexatious or otherwise—with regard to Police Scotland’s role and ability to carry out what the Government wants it to do, which is to stop whatever it is that you are trying to stop through the bill? Does Police Scotland have the ability to do what is being asked of it, given the cuts in its budget?

Would it happen at the same time as rough shooting? Is that why you think it could be a cover for that activity?

Okay, so rough shooting is not a cover for hare coursing, because you said that hare coursing happens at night.

Do you believe that Police Scotland will increase the number of prosecutions for hare coursing? Currently, there are a lot of reports of hare coursing but a lack of prosecutions. DS Telford said last week that he would provide us with evidence, but he could not provide us with evidence on the number of reports, because there is no such thing as a rural marker for hare coursing. How will the Scottish Government, in aiming to ensure high standards of animal welfare, follow the progress of the bill in relation to its aim to prosecute more people who are hare coursing?

Right. You are saying that people who rough shoot would go out with hounds.

You have also said that those dogs tend to be trained and under the control of the person who goes out with them.

On that point, would you be willing to consider an amendment that would look at improved data gathering in relation to isolating specific wildlife crimes and rural crimes, with a commitment to reporting to the Scottish Parliament about those crimes?

So, what is it a cover for?

I am thinking of vexatious complaints. Earlier you described yourself and Leia Fitzgerald going out rough shooting—you might also invite Hugh Dignon—and said that you would only be able to take two dogs. Do you think that it is fair and proportionate to curtail rural activities, given that you said in your opening remarks that you are confident that individuals who do this activity conduct themselves in the right way by getting landowner permission and having their dogs under control?