Chamber and committees

Is it okay to ask about zoo licensing, convener?

Given that a de minimis number of class A eggs is coming in, is that monitored? Are veterinary or other inspectors there, to ensure that we do not have fraud and that those measures are kept in place?

First, what are your takeaways from ocean action day at COP26? Secondly, how will the World Bank’s problue fund help Scotland, and what projects would you like to be put forward in that respect? Finally, on the 30by30 commitment to protect 30 per cent of global seas by 2030 and to drive an increase in biodiversity, what kinds of marine environment policies could run parallel to that?

I will start with Paul Fernandes.

I have a supplementary question for Professor Austin on that point. Do you believe that the Scottish Government should have its own strategy for restoring and protecting the blue carbon habitats that you talked about?

As another supplementary to what you said about measuring blue carbon, how do you actually do that? Various groups say that blue carbon does not actually go into the atmosphere. Can you tell the committee how that works?

Professor Fernandes, given what you have said, do you believe that the current enforcement measures to ensure compliance are sufficient? You mentioned strengthening the legislation.

It is important to listen both to the evidence and to farmers. They have been demonised. Farmers want to be part of the solution as we work towards net zero. They are already working on regenerative practices and putting in buffer zones. They are using rotational grazing and practising minimum tillage.

There is no definition of sustainable agricultural management. That makes it difficult for the farmers who are already doing those things to articulate how they can do more. I listened to Dr Black. There seems to be a gap between what farmers are doing and the expectations that we and the world have of them. If we consider that 95 per cent of agriculture relies on soil, agro-ecological or organic practices will not give us the food that we need to live on. We are in a difficult situation. I would like to hear Marc Metzger’s comments on what I have said.

I completely agree that we should not be having a polarised discussion in which the importing of avocados and the cutting down of the rainforest to grow soya are used to argue against the carbon footprint of a farmer who produces home-grown foods in Scotland, but I will move on.

There seems to be uncertainty about the contribution of agriculture to greenhouse gases, and specifically about the calculation of methane emissions. Do the witnesses have a view on that?

Convener, I cannot see who wants to come in or who has their hand up.

I have a supplementary question for Dr Marshall following Beatrice Wishart’s question. Do you agree with the Scottish White Fish Producers Association, which would like there to be an independent panel to assess the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea numbers?

Can I follow that up with a question about the 2020 baseline, convener?