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Last time around, we discussed making the code of conduct training mandatory, and we have heard back about that from local authorities. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on that.

Thank you for that update. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the 2021 code of conduct. Has it improved standards and behaviour? How is that being measured, if at all, and what sense do you have of any improvement in outcomes?

Okay. That is great.

Suzanne, in your opening remarks it was great to get the breakdown of the staffing and all that you accomplish with such a small team. The expenditure of the Ethical Standards Commissioner and the Standards Commission was over £2 million in 2024-25. How do I put this? Are you providing value for money? In what ways are we getting value for money for the public purse?

It is good to get more detail.

It is interesting that you say that the work has helped to shift the perception away from the 1970s backhanders, but I think there are pockets of people across the country who still have that mistrust—I come across that in my work. Maybe I am just confirming that the work that you do is essential.

We are definitely getting a lot of things lined up.

That concludes our questions. Thank you, Lorna and Suzanne, for your evidence this morning.

We previously agreed to take the next items on our agenda in private, so that concludes the public part of the meeting.

Thank you for putting those two observations on the record. It is quite concerning that there are people who are keen to undermine the system. Would you be willing to say a bit more about vested interests? Is that appropriate?

I am now speaking on behalf of Ross Greer. His amendment 171 would require a target to be set for the population size and the extent of our amazing native red squirrel population. Reds have been under pressure since North American grey squirrels were spread across the United Kingdom by the 11th Duke of Bedford in the 1890s. The red squirrel population has declined for decades, but recent conservation efforts have resulted in what could be the beginning of a turnaround.

The amendment specifies a target for the extent of the reds’ geographical spread, as well as their population size, because at present the red population is quite heavily concentrated in certain areas, which puts them at risk from the spread of disease. Red squirrels are truly iconic as a Scottish species—80 per cent of the UK’s total red squirrel population is here in Scotland. Recent efforts have shown that we can stop their slide towards extinction, but more action and accountability are needed if we are to reverse the damage that has been done over the past century.

Given the keenness that we have around the table to address the restoration of nature—30 per cent of land by 2030—I am seeking to introduce biodiversity targets under the new sections of the 2004 act on setting, reviewing and reporting on targets.

My amendment 47 would require the Scottish ministers to take a more holistic approach when setting targets, ensuring that they are aligned with existing Government frameworks and policies. Targets would have to be ecologically coherent, meaning that they would be representative, connected and well managed. NatureScot has used that concept and published a report on the definition of ecological coherence. The amendment would also require ministers to use a wholescape approach, essentially recognising that land and sea are interconnected habitats, as well as the range of cultural and economic activities that take place between them.

My amendment 48 would require ministers to have regard to existing Government frameworks and policies so that policies are aligned across departments and agencies.

Greens have lodged a series of amendments on targets to improve the state of key habitats and species. Scotland has world-famous iconic species, and people travel from around the globe to view our wild places. We must do what we can to protect them.

Amendment 167 asks ministers to set a target for when Scotland’s rainforest will be restored and its size doubled. The native woodlands of Scotland’s west coast are the last remnants of temperate rainforest in the country. The high rainfall, relatively mild temperatures and clean air create the perfect conditions for an abundance of plants, mosses, liverworts and lichens. We are beginning to recognise the importance of restoring Scotland’s rainforest. It is as important for biodiversity as the tropical rainforest. Amendment 167 seeks to replicate the goal that is set out in the Forestry and Land Scotland strategic approach plan for the rainforest. By placing that into legislation, there will be greater oversight of the steps that are taken by the Government and its agencies to deliver it.

Amendment 168 would require ministers to set targets in relation to the reintroduction of species—in particular, the Eurasian lynx. The reintroduction of missing native species is a key action to deliver nature recovery, so it is appropriate to include it as a target topic. The reintroduction of keystone species such as the Eurasian lynx would help to restore a balance to our ecosystems.

Lynx are forest-dwelling cats of about the size of a Labrador dog. They are thought to have become extinct in Scotland during the middle ages—around 1,000 years ago—due to habitat destruction, prey decline and hunting. They are not dangerous to humans, and mostly eat roe deer and other small species. Lynx would benefit Scotland’s wildlife, helping to restore biodiversity and improve the health of our ecosystems through their influence on various ecological processes. For example, their effect on the behaviour of some herbivores may allow for more natural regeneration in our woods.

My amendment 302 relates to access to monitor and assess non-native species. It would amend existing legislation on species control orders when dealing with invasive non-native species. I thank RSPB Scotland for its assistance with the amendment.

The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 updated the law on management and control of invasive non-native species, and those updates were warmly welcomed by environmental stakeholders. However, in practice, the use of species control orders has been problematic and could benefit from additional improvement through the bill before us.

Issues have arisen in locations where major species eradication projects are under way—for example, the Orkney native wildlife project to remove stoats on the islands to protect bird populations. In that project, and in others like it, project teams employ a variety of humane trapping and capture methods to remove the invasive species. Those projects also work closely with, and are sometimes funded by, NatureScot and the Scottish Government. Projects also have voluntary agreements with most landowners, whether they be public or private, to enable project officers to access and trap invasive species across the expanse of the project area.

The Orkney project has covered more than 900 landholdings. So far, it has taken more than five years to secure access agreements across the project area.

However, there are times when it is not possible to enter into a voluntary agreement, for a variety of reasons. In some cases, that can undermine the success of the project. If the project teams cannot access the land that the invasive target species, such as the stoat, have moved to, their numbers cannot be controlled. Rapid action is needed to control populations of highly mobile species such as stoat.

Securing agreements can be time consuming, and delays risk jeopardising the success of the whole project. Amendment 302 would allow for project staff to access areas without a control order to assess the extent of the damage caused by invasive species, as defined by NatureScot. It would allow access to the land simply for surveying purposes; it would not allow officers to take any other actions.

The intention is to strike a balance between property rights and dealing with fast-moving developments involving invasive species, allowing staff to access land to assess the damage so that a further course of action can be planned.