Chamber and committees

Okay. I just have one more small question for David Brown.

A lot of comparisons have been made today with livestock farming. Quite frankly, I understand livestock farming more than I understand aquaculture, because I grew up on a farm. However, I was wondering about the fish health inspectorate’s reference to a farm management statement. What is that?

I am sorry, David. In relation to the farm that the committee visited, the fish health inspectorate was asked:

“Did any of these inspections identify any cause for concern or further regulatory action?”

The letter says:

“The inspection ... identified that to ensure compliance ... the farm management statement required to contain provision for the review of the document and the arrangements for sensitivity testing in relation to treatments for parasite management.”

When there is an issue, what is the process and what happens regarding the farm management statement?

By whom?

The same consideration will apply not just to abattoirs but to game processing plants, milk producers, fisheries, aquaculture products and so on. I note that Salmon Scotland responded to the consultation. My point about this SSI is that it is disappointing that, although most of the responses came from GB-wide stakeholders, there was only one Scottish response. Salmon Scotland’s response speaks to some of the concerns that the committee has raised in the past about the engagement process and ensuring that people are not taken unawares by the potential for increased costs.

As my colleague Rhoda Grant, in particular, has pointed out, we are in a difficult trading environment, with costs rising as a result of inflationary pressures. What efforts are being made to ensure that, in this scenario, there are no cliff edges?

Just to be clear, most people wanted the sector-based and tailored option. You have talked about headage of cattle, but how is that equated? Is it according to, say, litres of milk? With a game processing plant, is it a brace of pheasants? How does it work?

What was your reaction to the comments of various academics and former Scottish Government employees about the downfall of the international reputation of the Scottish scientific output on fisheries?

Was it 23?

That is a massive drop. You said that, up to 2010, you had a number of publications—more than 1,000. In comparison to other institutions, that number is very low and it leaves Scotland’s fisheries in a parlous state.

You also mentioned the number of applications that you had received for junior positions. Are you saying that we can recover our status? What is the plan to do that so that we can support rural and island communities?

Has it gone up, cabinet secretary?

Thank you.