Chamber and committees

Jim Fairlie commented that the direction of travel is away from lead shot. That is certainly our understanding.

Unfortunately, we are running tight for time. I will take a question from Beatrice Wishart and then one from Karen Adam.

Thank you.

I am sorry, Scott; I have to stop you there. We have supplementary questions from Alasdair Allan and then from Rachael Hamilton.

Thank you. I had a question that was almost based on that, so this is probably a good note to—almost—stop on, so that I can let Mike Rivington back in. Again, I ask for a brief response. Given the pressures on land use, do we need to accelerate how we look at it? We have just heard about additional planting and more extensive farming, and we have also heard from Elspeth Macdonald about the pressures that relate to the sea. Do we need to accelerate what we do with our land use strategy to ensure that food resilience is addressed in addition to climate change?

Thank you very much. Just for the record, what percentage of improved agricultural land is not used directly to feed humans? I missed the figure that you quoted at the start of your answer.

Thank you. This is a 20-minute warning for the panel and for committee members.

Do not think that you have escaped, Elspeth Macdonald—I have a question specifically for you. Can you set out the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s views on the impact of the Scottish Government’s withdrawal of engagement with the Russian Federation with regard to international fisheries negotiations?

Thank you, Patrick, for your informative and measured contribution in support of your petition. We found your evidence fascinating. Once again, it probably raised more questions in members’ minds than answers.

Members, our paper sets out suggestions for next steps. I propose that we continue the petition and look further at the issue. Given that it is almost 10 years since the petition was lodged, I suggest that we write to the Scottish Government and NatureScot for an update on the adaptive goose management approach. In light of the evidence that we received today about the potential impact on biodiversity and the change in the habitat of the geese, we need to be aware of the scope and timetable for NatureScot’s review. I propose that we consider the matter again on receipt of a response from the Scottish Government. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

I will bring in Rachael Hamilton for a brief supplementary before we move to the next theme.