Seòmar agus comataidhean

I am sure that I do not need to stress how much coastal communities depend on fish for their food and livelihoods or how imperative it is that we get the local fishing industry on board when it comes to protecting the marine environment so that we can ensure high catches and healthy populations in future fisheries, among other objectives. Is a greater level of engagement needed between scientists, managers and stakeholders to steer the process? Is that essential to the successful development of harvest strategies, for example? If the witnesses agree with that, how do they see that being implemented, particularly in developing relationships and trust? What sustainable incentives could there be for the industry?

We often hear that people are trying to understand why people, particularly those in the trans community, are identifying as a particular gender. We seem to be getting pulled into the semantics of the why, with people giving their opinions on such matters. Is that something that we should even take into consideration when we are discussing conversion practices here at committee?

Choice and consent are two of the key points, and there has been a discussion about the protection of children. Many of our previous witnesses have testified that coercion was used to try to persuade them to change their sexual orientation or gender identity as children and young people, and that that early intervention caused them the most tremendous harm. Do you believe that children can consent to conversion practices?

I would like to ask Adam Jowett a question that has just come to mind. What do you feel about the suspicion, judgment or debate, as some put it, around the understanding of why people are who they say they are? In your opinion, is that pertinent to our discussions around conversion practices? I would highlight that these so-called debates are particularly prevalent around gender identity.

People—including some who have loved ones in hospital with Covid—have recently expressed their frustration at seeing the Prime Minister with no mask on in a hospital. What is the Scottish Government doing to ensure that people understand the importance of adhering to guidelines—regardless of their vaccination status—particularly in the winter months?

I recently met representatives of Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, who emphasised the health benefits and sustainability of the locally sourced, high-quality meat and dairy products that its members produce. What is the Scottish Government doing to support a culture change when it comes to information about locally sourced food, including the health and environmental benefits?

I have two questions, but I will take your lead on whether there is time for the second, convener.

I will ask about the complex connection between animal abuse and domestic violence, particularly as we have seen recently in the context of the pandemic. Numerous studies have confirmed that, in households that have companion animals and are experiencing domestic violence and abuse, there is also a high probability of animal abuse. Some reports detail that individuals and families often delay fleeing violent situations due to concerns about the safety of their companion animals.

What more can be done on that, as children in particular often rely on their pets to provide stability, security and companionship? Veterinarians and animal welfare agencies might be in a position to identify such situations, as holistic approaches to abuse have a greater impact.

It is extremely important to have that multi-agency approach, and I am glad to hear that there is on-going work on that.

Let us go back to the theme of the pandemic. There has been an increase in pet ownership and, as a consequence, an increase in people diversifying into self-employed animal-based work such as grooming, training and pet sitting and walking. Just to quickly give an anecdotal example, I took my dog to a groomer—whom I will not name—and she was connected to a high table by a lead. The groomer stepped away from the table, my dog jumped off and, luckily, I was there just in time to scoop her up; otherwise, the consequences could have been horrific. The lead had no safety break and, surely, the policy should have been not to leave the dog unattended.

As well as that example, I have heard of issues that highlight bad training practices. Could regulations be introduced for the businesses that are popping up, and could support be provided for those with genuine experience who have worked incredibly hard to ensure their high standards and who might be undermined and undercut in price? Are the regulations tight enough, and how can the public be aware of the certification, for example, that they should be looking for when using such businesses?

My constituency is a coastal fishing community of integrity and values that are embedded in trust and honesty. We often see that in highly skilled and dangerous professions, because a person’s word and integrity can mean the difference between life and death or prosperity and hunger.

The fishing industry has gone through many changes over the past few hundred years. It has diversified from whaling ports through to today, when it catches, lands and processes first-class seafood that is exported all over the world. We are extremely lucky to have on our doorstep a major contributor to local jobs and our food supply chain, and a global standard that highlights to the world what Scotland has to offer.

The topic for debate is Scotland’s approach to the 2021 coastal state negotiations. In my speech, I wish to get it across that, in all the discussions and debate, we must remember those who are at the heart of it all. We must listen to those with lived experience in the communities, who have for too long felt that they are being played by politicians in order to leverage deals.

International relations is a reserved matter so, before the UK Government undertakes negotiations, it is essential for it to listen to Scottish ministers, officials and industry representatives and—not least—the very people who live and work in fishing communities. The Government also needs to act on the advice that is given, particularly when the rhetoric of having more fish to catch is thrown around, without the sense to acknowledge that it is the type of fish that matters. If members will excuse the pun, that rhetoric is a red herring.

At the beginning of this year, Fergus Ewing spoke in the chamber and painted a picture that illustrated how proud and historic fishing communities would be left reeling as they faced the great Tory betrayal of Scottish fishing interests—and how right he was, as was the fishing industry. An underlying truth is increasingly evident—that those at Westminster who claim to care about our fishing and coastal communities in Scotland do not, because their deeds do not match their words. They might enjoy the finest seafood in fancy restaurants, but I doubt that they care too much about the people in the industry—the processors, producers and those who risk their lives out on the sea—or the coastal communities in which such people have lived for hundreds of years.

As has been mentioned, the Tories promised Scotland’s fishermen a sea of opportunity and the benefits of an independent coastal state but, instead, they have been exposed. As Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, put it, the UK is

“now a coastal state with one hand tied behind our back.”

The broken promises leave our fishermen woefully short of their expectations, and their sense of betrayal is evident in their responses.

Our vision for Scotland is to be a world-class fishing nation that delivers responsible and sustainable fisheries management. My meetings with stakeholders throughout the summer made it clear that, to mitigate the shortfall in available quota and deliver the best possible management structures in our waters, we must include in discussions the very people whom our plans directly affect. For example, marine health, our path to net zero, our good food nation and our economy depend on including coastal communities and fishing workforces in plan making, as we are asking them to enact the plans. If we are to succeed in any of our aspirations, we need to build the trust of those people, who have suffered immense hardship and chaos because of political choices.

We know that we have challenges ahead and that our fishing industry is under immense pressure. I therefore ask that, above all else, we take the example of the people whom I represent by cultivating the fishing community spirit and being people of our word. Although difficult decisions lie ahead, we can have a prosperous and sustainable future and ensure that our fishing communities thrive for generations to come.

We have signed up to international human rights laws that protect the right to food, but the Scottish Human Rights Commission is calling on the Government to take action and go a little bit further to ensure that the bill is fit for purpose in tackling poverty and health-related inequalities while supporting local economies and industry. How important has it been that people with lived experience of food poverty and lack of access to good food have had input? How has that been ensured in the development of the plans?