Chamber and committees

How much will you need to deliver an IT system for future agricultural support? How much is there for that in the budget?

Can I be clear that, in 2024, AECS money will reduce by half from £29.6 million and be moved into capital, which is £13.8 million?

Does that mean that, when we go back to the budget in the chamber, the AECS funding or that part that supports the AECS funding will reflect the fact that there is a further cut to AECS funding because you are taking it out of there and putting it into capital?

What if it is resource AECS funding and not capital AECS funding?

It is not a waste of time, Ariane. It is important, because £16 million has been removed from the budget in 2024-25, and that is why this committee is here to scrutinise it. Apologies for picking you up on that, but it is important.

My last, brief question is this: where did the Scottish Government find the money to pay a £3.2 million fine from the European Union over common agricultural policy payments and how will it pay the remaining £2.3 million should a dispute resolution be unsuccessful?

From the agriculture budget?

So, £2.2 million has come out of the rural affairs budget to pay for a fine.

I have no objection to the Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023. However, having looked at the consultation responses, like Ariane Burgess, I find that they do not take into account the fact that the spring run has collapsed and that it could have a huge effect on jobs, livelihoods and the rural economy. It also does not take into account predation from seals or invasive species such as goosander. One respondent said that the count is relevant because numbers are reducing so dramatically. As a committee, we need to establish the link with the Scottish wild salmon strategy, align river gradings with the strategy’s objective and look at the SSI further.

You say “right across the piece”, but why did health, justice and education get an increase to their capital budgets? Farmers—and maybe you agree with me here—do provide Scotland with a public service.