Chamber and committees

Mike, I appreciate that your time is limited, so we will bring you in on these questions. Also, if there is anything else you want to add before you go, please feel free to raise it now.

That would be helpful—thank you.

Are there any further questions?

We will bring in Mike Callaghan if he is still with us.

That is useful. We move on to talk about the right to food.

I have a yes or no question to finish, based on some of the last few questions that Alasdair Allan teased out, and it is on education. Should primary legislation state that there needs to be due regard for or recognition of the importance of education in regard to healthy eating and making the right choices?

Excellent. We have come to the end of our session. Thank you very much. We were very hard on you. You were reduced to two in the end but, a bit like healthy eating, it is about not quantity, but quality. Certainly, your answers were of very high quality and they will help us in our deliberations. Thank you for providing evidence this morning and for the time that you have taken to do that.

I am conscious that we are rapidly running out of time. Rachael Hamilton has a brief supplementary question.

Our second item of business is consideration of an instrument that is subject to affirmative procedure. I refer members to pages 3 and 30 of their briefing packs.

I welcome back Mairi Gougeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, for this agenda item. She is supported by Caroline Cowan, the interim deputy director for funding and strategy, and Iain Hepburn, the futures marine funding strategy delivery lead, Marine Scotland; and by Emma Phillips from the Scottish Government legal directorate. I invite the cabinet secretary to make an opening statement.

Good morning and welcome to the fifth meeting in 2022 of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. Before we begin, I ask all members using electronic devices to turn them to silent.

Our first item of business is a decision on whether to take item 6 of today’s meeting in private, and whether to consider a draft letter on the national planning framework at our next meeting in private. Are we content to do so?

Members indicated agreement.

The result of the division is: For 7, Against 1, Abstentions 1.

Motion agreed to,

That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee recommends that the Aquaculture and Fisheries etc. (Scheme for Financial Assistance) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 [draft] be approved.