Chamber and committees

We will write to the minister on that.

Since there are no further questions, we will move to agenda item 2, which is formal consideration of motion S6M-02211. I invite Ms Slater to move the motion.

Motion moved,

That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee recommends that the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.—[Lorna Slater]

Motion agreed to.

In a slight change to the agenda, we now move into private session and will resume in public with agenda item 4.

That completes consideration of the instrument. I thank the minister and her officials for attending.

We are back. We are not going to blame rural connectivity—I think that there was an issue in Holyrood. I thank everyone for their patience. We have taken the decision to postpone our evidence session with the marine panel, which was due to start at about 5 past 11. We now have more scope to ask questions of our terrestrial witnesses, which is a bonus.

David Finlay was in the middle of answering a question about funding.

We will move on to questions from Karen Adam.

We will certainty consider that invitation. It would be nice to get out and about again, as the committee intends to do.

We now have the opportunity to ask questions until about 11 o’clock. I will ask some very broad questions. How are your projects or schemes contributing to solutions that address the climate and nature emergencies that we face right now? How scalable are your projects or initiatives? What would be needed to mainstream your identified solutions? What barriers stand in the way?

Michael, could you address the same point?

As the convener, I get the privilege of asking the last question. A consultation on the replacement for the common agricultural policy launched in August and is expected to be published in spring 2022. Jonnie Hall of NFU Scotland has said that it is

“a defining moment for the future of Scottish agriculture.”

Business as usual cannot be an option. We need something to ensure that farmers and crofters, regardless of size or type, will play their role in food production and their part in the climate change and biodiversity emergencies.

We have just heard Jim Fairlie give eye-watering figures on the value of the food and drink industry and say that we are just touching the edges when it comes to funding. I will put my question to everyone in turn. Can you give me your hopes, aspirations and fears for the future agricultural support to replace the CAP?

Our third item of business is consideration of a notification from the Scottish ministers for consent to the regulations. I refer members to committee paper 3. Under the protocol between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, the consent notification has been categorised as type 1, which means that the Scottish Parliament’s agreement is sought before the Scottish Government gives consent to the UK Government making secondary legislation in devolved competence.

Since members have no comments on the consent notification, is the committee content that the provisions that are set out in the notification should be included in the proposed UK SI?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you all very much for your interesting and thought-provoking contributions. I am sure that the committee shares my view that it has been very useful. I apologise for the glitches that we had earlier and thank you for your patience. We ran over time, but we could probably speak for another hour.