Chamber and committees

I agree, minister—I do not think that this is controversial in any way. However, I note that no impact assessment has been carried out, and I seek your reassurance that you have the capacity and resource to deal with applications for felling licences in these circumstances.

I have a question on the support that the UK Government offered in the early months of this year with regard to environmental health officers and official veterinarians to help with export checks. Has that been of benefit to local authorities? Should we be looking at a long-term strategic intervention in that regard?

The SSPCA highlighted the existence of a link between domestic abuse and animal cruelty, particularly during the pandemic. Does the panel agree that, as part of its wider animal welfare work, the committee should consider raising awareness among veterinarians and other people who work in the industry of the value of establishing that intrinsic link and using it as a way to stamp out the domestic abuse that is happening?

Yes—it is on the back of Jenni Minto’s questions about forestry. We know that forestry targets in Scotland have not been met and that the Government has no intention of bringing in any new forestry grants or funding schemes before 2024. If farmers were incentivised and supported through new forestry grant schemes to have the right trees in the right place at the right time, could we get on and start to meet net zero targets more quickly?

Do Mike Robinson and Davy McCracken believe that it is difficult not only for women to get into agriculture but for new entrants, for young people and for farming to have a diverse representation? Will the net zero targets draw in a new group of people with different interests, such as innovation? Will that lead to a sea change in representation across the board in agriculture?

Can we hear from Donald MacKinnon about female entrants into crofting?

Can you tell us how you will be monitoring this system and looking at the question that Finlay Carson just asked you? If animals are not chipped, it is possible for them to be traded on and upsold in that way.

I am sorry, convener, but it is a shame not to bring in the tenanted sector on that. It is very important.

My question is for all our witnesses. Even if we change farming practices, reduce livestock numbers and increase woodland planting, the scale of change across all sectors will not be enough. It is reported that we will fall short by about two-thirds of meeting the net zero targets. What does that mean in relation to the recommendations of the climate group reports? What more needs to be done? What impact will it have on farmers, consumers and policy makers?

The Scottish Government wants to legislate for equal rights to succession for women in agriculture. How have your organisations promoted women in agriculture, considering that we have a cultural problem with bringing women into farming, as we heard in the previous evidence session? We also have issues with access to land, finance, childcare and the responsibilities that women have.