Chamber and committees

I can explain that.

My question is about procurement. Can I ask about that issue now?

I put the same question to John Davidson. In the private sector, there might be some interest in cutting sugar and salt and increasing fibre, as the Dimbleby report has suggested. Behaviour in that regard could be changed through education. Do you have any comments on that?

If that information is not available—I could not find it—will it become available before March?

Are you referring to the Red Rocks and Longay Urgent Marine Conservation (No 2) Order 2021?

I want to draw the committee’s attention to this. Marine Scotland held stakeholder engagement in 2021 on the proposal to expand the original marine protected area. However, I could not find any details of that when I went to look last night, so I want to get clarification from the clerks that that is correct and find out why that information is not available.

Back in November, George Burgess said in evidence to the committee that

“the bill focuses on the public sector”,

so

“There are limitations on the extent to which Parliament can impose duties on”—[Official Report, Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee, 3 November 2021; c 3.]

the private sector. The committee should consider that point if some of the witnesses are suggesting that the bill should cover the private sector, convener.

The bill makes no reference to businesses. In evidence to the committee, George Burgess from the Scottish Government said:

“there are other routes through which we can look at companies and their reporting.”—[Official Report, Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee, 3 November 2021; c 3.]

How can we ensure that the private sector has a role and a responsibility under the bill, and that we support and develop Scotland’s food production sectors within that framework? What do you think that George Burgess meant by “other routes”?

I will go to Mary Brennan first.

Thank you, Mary.

I cannot remember exactly what my question was, so I will ask Geoff Ogle a similar question. What does a good food nation look like to you? What does it mean to you? Will the policy outcomes in the bill be delivered?

Does Robin Gourlay have any comments on those questions?