Chamber and committees

Does the panel have any views about whether having individual serial numbers that are related to the operator on each trap is proportionate?

How does our population of rodents compare with those of other countries? Do you have like-for-like figures?

How do you know? Does someone sit on the hill for that length of time?

So what you are asking for is what gamekeepers are currently doing, which is using Epicollect5 to monitor some of the activities that the operators are carrying out in terms of innovation technology and that sort of thing. I am sorry—I cannot work it out. I am very confused about how, without having evidence, you establish that operators are following bad practices.

You did say that.

Good morning, cabinet secretary. Clearly, there is a call to maintain direct payments in tiers 1 and 2. The arguments are made on the basis that, currently, farmers are looking at efficiencies, improving the environment and all the rest of it. Removing those payments without clarity would mean that they could not plan for the future. We know that the livestock industry is contracting and that that genetic bank of high-quality livestock will never be able to be replaced. What impact study has been done on what you have said about pushing that down the line so that we look at it beyond primary legislation?

Perhaps I can give you an example of individuals’ concerns. Yesterday, I spoke to a group from the islands—we know how important livestock farming and crofting are there, particularly in the less favoured areas. They are hearing suggestions that, instead of the livestock farming that is so important to their livelihoods being considered, trees are going to be planted in places such as Westray, where they cannot grow. The Government therefore needs to be very clear in its communications about the tiers and the sustainability of the future for farmers and crofters.

I have a quick point on that. During our evidence sessions, we have heard from various members of the ARIOB and other stakeholders that it is very difficult to establish the baseline so that they can work out what the outcome is for environmental benefit. I have made the point in the chamber that it is particularly difficult because farmers have already spent thousands on thousands of pounds undertaking measures, including soil testing. They have been spending and investing their own money, because they know that doing so reduces input costs and increases productivity and efficiency. How will the Government ensure that the individuals who have already carried out those measures are rewarded? Where will the baseline start?

Will you give us an overview of the work that the food security unit is carrying out?

Do you already have that evidence?