Chamber and committees

I did not suggest that either. I asked whether the delay in the climate change plan would have an effect.

You mentioned that you might adopt a redistribution scheme. Does that mean that the Scottish Government is keen on introducing capping?

In a previous evidence session, we were told that the economic modelling from the SRUC would be published before Christmas. Does that still stand?

I have a supplementary question on CPD. The explanatory notes say:

“Compliance with the relevant CPD requirements may be made a condition of certain support schemes.”

Is that the case? Will farmers get money taken off them if they do not comply?

I accept your comments about the engagement activity but, in the 70 submissions to the committee, the response to the five-year period has been lukewarm. The explanatory notes say that the period

“will broadly coincide with ... parliamentary terms”,

so I wonder whether it was chosen for convenience. The responses say that farmers do not make plans over five years but make them over 10 years. It is important for the Government to reflect on those responses. Would you like to comment on the practical planning that farmers do?

What is a targeted consultation? How do you hand pick those people?

Does the possible increase in the levy or the raising of the ceiling correlate directly with an increase in operational costs for QMS, or does it relate directly to the marketing of Scotch Beef?

I thought that QMS is Government funded.

I have one, convener, on the issue of whether QMS is likely to review this in another five years. What if it reaches the ceiling for the levies? Will we find ourselves in this position and have to go at it again if there are extreme market conditions? It is relevant that QMS has cited inflationary pressures as a reason for implementing the increase. We might find ourselves in such a position again, but I suppose that we will just cross that bridge when we come to it.

I know that we are moving on from this subject, but I want to make the point that, in the evidence, it has been suggested that it would be confusing and burdensome to have two codes, and that really speaks to the previous question.