Chamber and committees

Yes, please move on to your next question.

I am sorry to interrupt, Ariane, but we do not have time to go back. We need to get the final question answered and move on.

Michael Clancy, we have heard that one reason for introducing the bill is to close loopholes. Does it go far enough?

Jim Fairlie has a brief question.

Sara Shaw, do you have any comments about clarity and whether such provisions would make it easier for you, or do you not have a position on that?

We have run over our time slightly. I thank the witnesses for their attendance. The evidence that we have heard today has been most helpful and will help us to form our stage 1 report.

I suspend the meeting briefly to allow the witnesses to leave and to allow for a short comfort break.

I will bring in Mercedes Villalba to ask a quick supplementary question before we move on to the next theme.

Unfortunately, you will need to be very brief.

Good morning, and welcome to the 21st meeting in 2022 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. I remind members who are using electronic devices to switch them to silent.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take item 4 in private. Do we agree to take item 4 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Our second item of business is an evidence session on the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill. I welcome our panel, who will focus on prosecution and policing perspectives. Michael Clancy OBE is director of law reform at the Law Society of Scotland; William Telford is a detective sergeant from Police Scotland; Sara Shaw is principal procurator fiscal depute at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; and Robbie Kernahan is director of green economy from NatureScot.

We will take questions until about 11 o’clock, and I will kick off. We have heard from witnesses the difficulties that they have experienced or perceived when investigating and prosecuting alleged offences under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002. Will the amended offences in sections 1 and 2 of the bill provide greater clarity and ease? Will you give us your overview of whether those offences will be clearer and easier to enforce?