Seòmar agus comataidhean

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how its European Union alignment policy could be impacted by potential EU expansion, in light of the remarks of the President of the European Commission in her state of the European Union address. (S6O-02526)

EU alignment will play an important role in ensuring that Scotland is best placed to rejoin the European Union in the near future. As we know, Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and was dragged out against its will, so it is disappointing that, this week, Keir Starmer has again disregarded the voices of voters in Scotland and has ruled out the possibility of the United Kingdom rejoining the single market or the customs union, or re-implementing the policy of free movement. Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that that will inhibit economic growth? Does he agree that it is becoming increasingly clear that the only route to our rejoining the EU is as an independent country?

We have touched on the environmental impacts of deer and why the SSI is necessary for animal welfare, and you have spoken about the public safety aspect. I would like you to go into a bit more detail and explain to us what type of public safety measures the SSI would help to support.

I want to get clarity on a few points. We have heard arguments that more male deer might be killed earlier, straight from the womb, although we have also heard that the measure might not increase the number of deer that are killed. For clarity, what exactly would the measure do with regard to the number of deer being culled?

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister's commitment in the programme for government 2023-24 to publish a new delivery plan for mental health and wellbeing, what it is doing to improve pathways to diagnosis for neurodivergent children. (S6O-02496)

Given that the free trade agreements threaten to harm domestic production and flood our market with imported goods of lesser quality, I find it ironic that Meghan Gallacher has asked such a question. Given the Scottish Government’s commitment to active farming and food production, does the cabinet secretary agree that the best thing that the Tories could do to help to ensure the future of domestic food production is lobby their colleagues in the UK Government to provide funding clarity for the agriculture sector post-2025?

Continuity of carer was a key recommendation of the Scottish Government’s best start plan to reshape maternity and neonatal services with a vision of relationship-based continuity of carer, tailored to the individual’s needs and delivered as close to home as possible. Can the minister provide any update on the Scottish Government’s work to progress that recommendation?

I have had personal experience and received constituent feedback often highlighting gatekeeping at what should be access points to a diagnostic pathway. How is the Scottish Government ensuring unimpeded access to and support for neurodivergent individuals at key points, such as education and community health, so that they can uphold their dignity and prevent additional mental health issues?

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this vitally important debate. I have been privileged to visit many stakeholders from across Scotland’s rural and seafood industries, from catching to processing to trading and beyond. It was clear that their successes are essential to the Scottish economy and, of course, to the local economy of my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast. When the local sector thrives, so do local businesses. Families move in and support the population, and families provide labour to support education, health and many other critical public support roles. Indeed, it is not really far reaching to suggest that our food and drink industries sustain not just our physical bodies but our communities and give life to a wide range of other Scottish industries and sectors.

I love the visualisation that the story of our seafood industry is woven into the rich tapestry of Scotland’s history. Without that industry, the coastal communities such as the ones that I represent simply would not exist. Each of them is a testament to local ingenuity and is a story of a human commitment to provide. Our seafood sector is a cornerstone of seafood not just here but globally. Peterhead, in my constituency, is home to the largest fishing port in the UK and Europe’s largest white fishing port. It is the hub of Scotland’s seafood industry. There has been a harbour at Peterhead for more than 400 years and, throughout the centuries, the success of the town has been closely linked to the level of maritime trade and activity.

When I met representatives of the Peterhead fish market, I witnessed at first hand—very early in the morning—the enormous undertaking and organisation involved. It is apparent that the fish market is no ordinary marketplace. It is a testament to Scotland’s enterprise and its role in the global food economy.

On Saturday, I had a fantastic day out at SeaFest Peterhead, and it was great to see the cabinet secretary, Mairi Gougeon, there as well, enjoying the Blue Toon, as we call it. Given that it was the first such festival, it was an incredible success. It was not just a food festival; it was a showcase of what we have to offer. From the vast attendance numbers and the diversity of those who came to visit, it was apparent that there is a hunger—if members will excuse the pun—to celebrate what we have locally. From young to old, there was a true community spirit of pride and a desire to educate about what we have. That intergenerational conversation on issues concerning our rural communities is needed today more than ever.

At the Turriff Show in August, I met NFUS members and discussed how we can better incorporate the topics of fishing, farming and food security into our education system to entice our younger generations to continue that work and to—I am sure—improve what we have. I look forward to working with NFUS on that issue in the years to come.

Farming and fishing are rapidly evolving industries. It is abundantly clear that our food and drink sector—particularly our seafood sector—plays a leading role in supporting Scotland to thrive at home and abroad. On a local level, the opportunities that fishing provides are invaluable. From catching to processing and from packing to marketing, our blue economy offers those opportunities in abundance.

Although, first and foremost, we are talking about food, the Scottish fish sector is essential to Scotland’s soft power on the world stage. What does that soft power look like in numbers? Put frankly, fish and seafood are Scotland’s primary food export. In 2021, Scottish exports of fish and seafood were valued at £1 billion, or 204,000 tonnes, and they accounted for 60 per cent of total food exports. They also accounted for 63 per cent of total UK fish and seafood exports.

Although I would love nothing more than to reel off success after success, I must spend a moment discussing the many concerns that have been raised with me by farmers and fishers since I was elected. If we are to ensure the security of good-quality Scottish food and drink, it is incumbent on all of us in the chamber to listen carefully to those concerns and to address them. Among them, Brexit continues to be the number 1 concern. The loss of freedom of movement and free trade has done untold damage to our rural economy. Our prized seafood industry has been hit with an estimated 50 per cent increase in the cost of packaging items that are sent to the EU. Some shellfish exporters have estimated that the new barriers to trade with the EU have resulted in additional costs of £500 to £600 per consignment, which makes some exports unviable. In fact, Seafood Scotland has told us that post-Brexit labour shortages are having a huge impact on the seafood processing sector, with many businesses

“turning down growth opportunities due to a lack of labour.”

If the UK Government and the Labour Opposition in London will not listen, perhaps our colleagues could pass on the message of Mike Park, the chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers Association. Talking about Brexit, he said:

“We were the poster boys, we wanted out. But a lot have now reassessed their enthusiasm for Brexit because it has delivered nothing. It has left some very negative legacies and hasn’t provided any of the positives we were promised.”

In conclusion—[Interruption.]

Thank you, Presiding Officer.

I acknowledge the harsh realities that the sector faces, and I pay tribute to all those who have worked on and pushed ahead while bearing the weight of Tory political decisions. I thank them for sustaining us throughout it all, and we celebrate their resilience.