Chamber and committees

We are back to the presumption that those who control the pests are the experts.

I think that it is unclear whether drag hunting is considered to be dog training—I am certainly confused as to whether trail hunting could be included in that.

You will be pleased to hear that that brings us to the end of our questions. Actually, it probably does not, but you—particularly Leia—have put in a hard shift this morning. That is very much appreciated and the information that you have given us will certainly be helpful in our further deliberations.

I will suspend the meeting until 12 o’clock to allow for a change of witnesses.

For licences to be granted, NatureScot needs to be satisfied that there is

“no other solution which would be effective in achieving the purpose”.

There might be alternatives that would be effective but are wholly impractical or undesirable. If an alternative practice is impractical, is it by definition ineffective, or is effectiveness to be understood without regard to practicality?

We will hear very briefly from Rachael Hamilton.

Would you like to comment briefly on that, or shall we just take that as a statement?

Jim Fairlie has a short question.

I propose that the committee write to the Scottish Government to ask why it is now considered appropriate to make regulations amending the rules around checks on sanitary and phytosanitary—SPS—goods during the transition period; what the impact of those changes may be on stakeholders and the wider public, including further information about the outcome of the consultations between Governments and stakeholders; and about the outcome of discussions with stakeholders who have invested in preparations for the end of the transitional staging period.

Are members happy with those suggestions?

Members indicated agreement.

Good morning, and welcome to the 18th 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 an evidence session on the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill, with the Scottish Government bill team. I welcome Hugh Dignon, who is the head of the wildlife and flood management unit; Leia Fitzgerald, who is the team leader of the wildlife legislation team; and solicitors Hazel Reilly and Amy Hogarth. We have about 75 minutes. I will kick off the questions.

We have had a huge response to the survey and to the questionnaire, but it would appear that views are mixed, with 50 per cent of those who responded saying that they are for the bill and 50 per cent saying that they are not. It looks as though there is almost a perfect split between those who wish to continue with the legislation as it is and those who wish to see changes. Does that mean that you have got this bill wrong?

You mentioned the Lord Bonomy review. Why have you not followed its outcomes, given that it was an independent and fairly wide-ranging and robust review? Why have you strayed away from Lord Bonomy’s recommendations?