Chamber and committees

Gill, do you think that there is reluctance to ensure that the law is followed? Are there difficulties in doing so, or is there a lack of capacity? Why is the legislation not working?

Absolutely. We need to ask the GBGB some questions. We need to be clear that, at this point, we were only trying to get a foundation and as round a picture of what the situation is as we could. Once we have information from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, in particular, we will be in a better position to decide what the next step will be and what approach we should take. That might mean calling for further written evidence or further oral evidence from a wider range of stakeholders.

Our third item of business is consideration of a draft order that is subject to the affirmative procedure. I refer members to paper 2 in their paper pack. It is worth flagging up that we are considering a UK statutory instrument that has been laid in all UK legislatures—I always get tongue-tied on that word. It cannot be laid in the UK Parliament until it has been approved by the devolved legislatures.

I welcome Màiri McAllan, the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, and her officials, who are Neil MacLeod, principal legal officer, and Caspian Richards, head of the policy and pesticide survey unit at science and advice for Scottish agriculture. I invite the minister to make an opening statement.

You mentioned seed potatoes. What is your view on exactly where the problem lies with regard to Scottish seed potatoes? Is it a UK Government position or an EU position that means that seed potatoes cannot be exported as they were?

We can also write to Thornton greyhound track to ask for information about how it protects the welfare of greyhounds that race there. I know that the witnesses have already said that we could write letters and still be here in four years’ time, but it is also important that we write to the Scottish Government to seek a position statement on the regulation of greyhound racing, given that that appears to be provided for in the 2006 act. Mark Ruskell raised that issue. It appears that the provisions of part 2 of the 2006 act apply to all people who are responsible for animals, including breeders, trainers and owners of racing greyhounds. We could certainly ask the Scottish Government for an updated position on that.

Are there any other suggestions about what we can do at this stage?

We can certainly seek further information about the licensing of the track and the council’s involvement in the situation.

I should have asked whether members are content to continue the petition. I was very presumptuous in assuming that that would be the case. Are members content to progress the petition?

Members indicate agreement.

It would be most helpful if you could come back to the committee in writing on that question.

I am glad that we got the comments about gambling on record, because I was going to ask whether the Gambling Commission has a remit in the matter. It appears that that would be very limited.

I thank the witnesses very much. We could have asked you a lot more questions if it were not for the time constraints, but the evidence that you have provided is very helpful.

The paper that is in front of us sets out a number of suggestions for our next steps. I am aware that a letter was not sent to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, which is regrettable. We thought that its response would be available to us. We still need to write to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission to ask for further information on its views on the welfare of greyhounds in Scotland and about what consideration it has given to including and prioritising that in its work programme. Do members agree that we need to do that?

Members indicated agreement.

Good morning, and welcome to the 12th 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 6 in private. Do members agree to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

Our second item of business is an evidence session on petition PE1758, on ending greyhound racing in Scotland. The petition, which was lodged by Gill Docherty on behalf of Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation, was referred to the committee following previous consideration in session 5 by the Public Petitions Committee and the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. It calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to put an end to greyhound racing in Scotland.

I welcome to the meeting the petitioner, ?Gill Docherty, and Jacqueline Brown, both of whom are from Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation. As this is the committee’s first consideration of the petition, I invite the petitioner to make an introductory statement.