Chamber and committees

Is that approach consistent with the approach to other land management sectors?

Clearly. Is it possible to see a draft of the code of practice?

On the impact on business, minister, it has been said that the Government did not intend to engage specifically at the BRIA stage. However, is that not a key aspect in establishing the bill’s implications or impact?

My question is about the same thing. The bill says that licences can be suspended for an unlimited time where the regulator is not satisfied. I think that we need clarity about what you are saying, minister.

But how would a minister have the ability to understand that? You say that you are trying to close a loophole and deal with a situation in which wrongdoing has potentially been carried out. How can a minister react to a situation if we are actually trying to reduce the persecution of raptors?

Minister, I am looking for clarity on what you said about considering amendments to the bill. Are you saying that you would consider the creation of a specific offence for malicious tampering with traps?

I am talking about proportionality. The question relates to a point that was made that

“the law requires there to be a rational connection between the content and design of the licensing scheme and its aim”.—[Official Report, Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, 21 June 2023; c 2.]

We know from evidence that the RSPB has demonstrated that raptor persecution—the illegal killing of raptors—has reduced by 75 per cent between 2007 and 2021, so I am just trying to determine whether the bill goes further than it needs to or whether a rational connection can be demonstrated.

No, I am asking you.

Do you want me to cover the questions about NatureScot and monitoring and compliance, convener?

That was the next point that I was going to make. How will the Government ensure that NatureScot’s new responsibilities do not divert from its wider work?