Rhoda Grant
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“To correct the minister, I say that the agricultural funding was rolled up into the block grant rather than being Barnettised. The exact same amount of money is being received because of that. Stakeholders are concerned about the lack of detail in tiers 2 and 3 of the rural support plan.”
“It feels a little like groundhog day. South Uist and Barra face yet another chaotic holiday period. South Uist faces an 85 per cent cut in its ferry service during the Easter period. The First Minister knows that this community has suffered from cuts for years, and that has caused businesses to struggle.”
“We have given certainty about what the payments will look like between now and 2030. The funding has been Barnettised—it may well be rolled up into the block grant, but it has definitely been Barnettised. The funds from the United Kingdom Government have been frozen.”
“This will be my last speech in the Parliament, and it feels apt that it is about crofting, because the cross-party group on crofting was one of the first cross-party groups that I was involved in setting up, and it feels as though things have come full circle. It would be wrong of me, in my last speech, not to pay tribute to some people.”
“I thank Tim Eagle for his kind remarks. There will be a lot of thank yous in this contribution, because I also want to thank all those who helped us with our work on the bill, including Parliament staff on the committee and in the legislation team, as well as those who gave evidence to the committee and the bill team and the minister, for…”
“As MSPs, we should remember that we could achieve only a fraction of what we do were it not for those who work with us, so I thank them for their support. I also want to thank our Scottish Labour staff pool and the parliamentary staff who support us so well.”
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“That would allow businesses to get compensation so that they do not fail, because if they fail, we will have further depopulation of the islands. Katy Clark and Jamie Greene talked about the Arran ferry going to Ardrossan and the issues that that causes in Ardrossan. Only under this Government could we build, for a service, a ferry that cannot even fit in the port. The Government has had seven years to change that, but it has still not changed it. That adds to costs, and it is total mismanagement. Of course, we support the direct award of the contract to CalMac. It does not, to an extent, really matter who is running the service, because they will still have to deal with the same old ferries that do not work.”
“He gave me a hopeful answer, but then I heard what he said in answer to Alasdair Allan who asked him about travel being charged to people as if they were taking the original vessel, which was off. That happens anyway: if people are rerouted because a vessel is off, they have to pay only the cost of their original journey, but we are looking for a resilience fund to pay people’s additional costs. I have heard of people having to spend three nights in a hotel because of a lack of capacity before they can get the next service to the islands. Businesses are failing—they desperately need a resilience fund. It could be paid for through the fines that are imposed on CalMac for cancellations and late sailings.”
“That needs to end. Communities that are served by ferries must be empowered to run the services using their knowledge and skills, and, indeed, because of their dependence on having a well-run ferry network. Those skills are crucial to board members. Jamie Greene: Rhoda Grant will recall that back in 2020, the then Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee did a huge report on the issue. Reform of the Government’s structures has been an issue for many years, but it seems that no action has been taken. Rhoda Grant: No action whatsoever has been taken, and we are seeing the results of that now. The week before last, I asked the First Minister about a resilience fund, which the Scottish Labour Party has been pushing for.”
“Claire Baker talked about the impact that the situation is having on ferry users and on communities, and the impact of fare increases, which are well over inflation. Ariane Burgess talked about the impact on businesses, especially agriculture and food businesses, in trying to get food on and off islands. Islanders are, by necessity, seafarers, but the Scottish Government cannot find enough of them to provide members for boards to oversee the running of the ferries. We have a situation in which ferries are owned and operated by boards whose members have no idea what island living is like and no knowledge of the impact that ferry failures can have on the community. The tripartite arrangement simply is not working, and it makes passing the buck much easier. Three bodies are in charge, but not one of them is taking responsibility.”
“Not a day goes by when there is not another problem with our ferries. Last week, there was a welding crack in the Glen Sannox. This week, the Sound of Barra ferry is off again, and that ferry is not being replaced through the small ferries contract. The mainland route is being served by the MV Isle of Mull, which, because of problems with the evacuation system, can hold only 45 passengers, when the ship was built to hold nearly 1,000. That issue was flagged in the 2016 contract between Transport Scotland and CalMac, but it has been left to wither on the vine and go to fault rather than being dealt with. The community in Barra does not understand why boats are being deployed in that way, and they are asking for a debrief on the impact on the island in order to understand why decisions have been made.”
“Will the member take an intervention? The Deputy Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary is concluding. Fiona Hyslop: I move amendment S6M- 16845.2, to leave out from “deplores” to end and insert: “recognises the challenges that have faced a number of island communities with ferry service disruptions but notes that CalMac crews delivered 95.8% of services in the last recorded contract year; welcomes the provision of over £530 million in 2025-26 for maintaining and improving ferry services, replacing vessels, upgrading ports and harbours, and investing further in low-carbon inter-island ferries, with at least £21 million to progress phase 1 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme; acknowledges that the delivery of six new large vessels, providing fleet resilience, and the procurement of seven new small vessels, which is currently in the 10-day ‘standstill period’, and the replacement for the MV Lord of the Isles, will provide 37% of the total fleet with new vessels, helping to reduce emissions and create more sustainability, resilience and reliability for residents, businesses and communities; notes that public engagement is being undertaken in Orkney and Shetland to inform the procurement of two new freight vessels for the Northern Isles services; acknowledges the work underway to make a direct award for the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract, and the roundtable with all stakeholders, including the Ferries Community Board and trade unions, to collectively discuss ambitions for the contract, including putting public service delivery and accountable key performance indicators developed with communities at its heart, and agrees that delivery of the award will then provide the space and opportunity for more fundamental reform of governance.” 15:04”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I advise members that there is no time in hand, so interventions should therefore be brief. I can give you that time back, though, Ms Grant. Rhoda Grant: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. That is it—there is another plan, but we need action. The Scottish Government motion talks about protection of English whisky posing a risk to Scottish whisky, but in that regard, the cabinet secretary seeks to cause a disagreement where one does not exist. As Daniel Johnson said, the UK Government has made it clear that it will not support any moves to change the definition of “single malt”, which should provide reassurance to members.”
“Having a good relationship with the Scotland Office and the extensive network of UK embassies worldwide can effectively promote Scottish products and services. Mairi Gougeon: I take issue with some of Rhoda Grant’s points in relation to the brand Scotland initiative. I outlined in my speech the investment—which I hope that Rhoda Grant welcomes—that we have made in the food and drink export plan, and all the work that we are doing with our in-market specialists. Does she acknowledge that trade is a reserved policy matter, and recognise the damage that has been done as a result of the trade deals that were made by the previous UK Government, which sold us down the river and took us out of the EU, which was our biggest single market?”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Rachael Hamilton. Be brief, please. Rachael Hamilton: There is concern about the rise in employer national insurance contributions. You talk so highly of our produce, but the British Growers Association has said that fruit and veg prices could increase by 10 or 12 per cent as a result of that rise. What would you say to your UK colleagues about the national insurance contribution rise? The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members that all comments should be made through the chair, please. Rhoda Grant: [Interruption.] My colleague behind me suggests that we should hear a bit of humility from Rachael Hamilton about clearing up the mess that was left by the previous UK Government. It is clear that fostering international investment in key sectors is central to support for our food and drink sector.”
“It is not just about maintaining standards—the quality and quantity of Scottish produce is something to celebrate, and the renowned status of our food and drink must be harnessed and promoted internationally. However, the SNP, despite claiming to represent Scotland, has not done a good job of exporting Scotland’s produce to the world. Rachael Hamilton: Will the member take an intervention? Rhoda Grant: That is why Scottish Labour’s brand Scotland campaign is so important—it will drive and boost investment and exports. Brand Scotland utilises UK Government infrastructure to focus on investments and trade strategies that are good for Scotland, which enhances Scotland’s international presence and drives economic growth. Tim Eagle: Will the member take an intervention? Rhoda Grant: I was going to accept the intervention from Rachael Hamilton.”
“In Scotland, we are blessed with world-recognised high-quality food and drink, from Scottish whisky to Scottish salmon, to Orkney Gold, to—of course—Stornoway black pudding. I could cite many more examples from the Highlands and Islands alone. The debate gives members the opportunity to list the wonderful produce from their constituencies and regions. However, this year, there are more serious matters to debate. The talk of trade wars and tariffs creates uncertainty for our food and drink industry. We need to build trade agreements that allow our produce to be sold around the world, but agreements must never be to the detriment of our standards.”
“The First Minister will be aware that communities in South Uist and Barra are suffering a fifth year of extreme ferry failure, which is causing irreversible damage to the local economy. What resource can be set aside for a resilience fund for businesses and communities that are on the brink of collapse due to that failure?”
“The First Minister will be aware that dangerous levels of radon gas have been recorded in parts of the Inverness justice centre. Radon is a radioactive gas that is known to cause cancer. I understand that two areas of the building are subject to time-based access restrictions. However, staff are working in other parts of the building and they remain working there full time. What is the First Minister doing to resolve the difficult situation and to keep safe staff and visitors to the justice centre?”
“There are also ramifications for food safety, because people are buying meat without looking at the traceability. We need to ensure that there is not a rural- urban divide with regard to fighting crime. We need to ensure that rural areas are adequately policed and that police have the equipment to deal specifically with rural crime. I hope that the debate highlights those issues, and I look forward to hearing the minister’s response. 17:37”
“For example, there has been a 72 per cent decline in Caithness and Sutherland, a 66 per cent decline in Moray and a 65 per cent decline in Ross, Skye and Lochaber. Criminals know that cash-based businesses will be holding much more cash if there is no local bank branch to enable them to deposit it. We know that those businesses are being targeted; criminals know where to look. The lack of police means that there are more break-ins and thefts of property, as well as, as has been mentioned, thefts of animals. Although tagging and traceability systems make it difficult to sell stolen animals on the open market, there are many outlets for cheap meat where no questions are asked about where it came from. I read recently that it is estimated that that led to £2.7 million of losses to farmers in 2023.”
“They were working extremely long hours with no policing cover at all. Sadly, those who commit crimes in rural areas know that that is the case for policing throughout rural Scotland. Although islanders have some protection against equipment theft—because thieves would need to get the equipment off the island undetected, which is difficult when they are sitting in a ferry queue—they do not have protection against other forms of crime. Things such as bank closures, for example, have added to rural crime. Since 2015, there has been a 60 per cent decline in the number of bank branches, and rural Scotland has borne the brunt of those closures. In the Highlands and Islands, there has been a huge loss of bank branches.”
“It would also be good to hear whether there are ways in which the Scottish Government could help to incentivise the installation of anti-theft and tracking devices, which would be very useful for those who have large and expensive pieces of equipment. The increase in rural crime is happening at a time when rural police numbers are falling. I raised concerns some time ago about island policing with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs. At that time, there was a situation on Uist and Eriskay in which no police were on duty when a serious incident had to be dealt with, so off-duty officers had to come in to deal with it. They had to work, and hold a prisoner, overnight—they should not have been working those hours while they were on duty, far less while they were off duty.”
“I, too, thank Rachael Hamilton for securing the debate and for hosting the drop-in session with NFU Mutual and the national rural crime unit. That highlighted the issue of theft of equipment, with the incidence of such theft and the costs increasing. Although insurance companies quite often pay out for such theft, the cost of insurance is borne by everybody who holds a policy, so it is not a victimless crime, and it adds to the cost of running farming businesses. In addition, as other members have mentioned, the personal impact can be enormous. The cost of rural crime has increased by 35 per cent. Other members have mentioned the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, and it would be good to hear from the minister whether the Scottish Government has looked at perhaps introducing legislation similar to the 2023 act.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: Question 2 was not lodged. Selective Fishing Gear 3.”
“Do such scams not highlight the need to ensure that landowners work in the public interest? Should there not be a test to ensure that those who buy large tracts of Scottish land will act in the public interest, so that such scams cannot take place? Mairi Gougeon: The member raises an important point. We covered a number of issues in relation to that in detail when I was at the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee yesterday for stage 1 consideration of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. Land ownership and land management come with responsibility. We have interim standards in place, including the land rights and responsibilities statement. We are looking to build on that with the proposals in the bill, and of course we will consider all of the evidence from stage 1 to see how we can strengthen and improve it.”
“We need a strategy for the seas that shows where we fish, the features that we need to protect, where we generate energy and the many other aspects of our marine environment. That strategy needs to be drawn up with stakeholders and, within it, we need to allow for local management so that we can farm our seas in a way that is sustainable for future generations. 18:06”
“All of that puts pressure on fishing, before we even start to look at the conflict that arises from foreign boats. The policing of that conflict falls to the marine directorate’s seafarers, who are undervalued and underpaid and are sent to police the seas in extremely dangerous conditions. There are many other issues that we need to debate, including the shape of our industry; the gear that is used; how fishers can work to protect our marine environment; and training, skills and investment. A members’ business debate simply does not allow us the time to debate all those issues properly. We need Government to look at the industry and beyond and at the way in which we use our seas, and to work with stakeholders and use their knowledge and expertise.”
“The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recently visited the Scottish Government marine laboratory in Aberdeen, and—to be frank—we have all visited better-kept boat sheds. The lack of investment in the laboratory and in marine science was absolutely embarrassing to see. At the same time, some of the Scottish statutory instruments to manage fishing that come to committee are based on data that is incomplete or simply wrong. The fishing community is bemused by regulation that bears no resemblance to reality. There is also the added pressure on our marine areas. Inshore fisheries are under pressure from mobile gear boats, and all areas are under pressure from increasing demands on our seas. Aquaculture and seaweed farming are marine activities, but there is encroachment on those areas from offshore renewables, cables, pipelines and the like.”
“If I were to make one request of political decision-makers, it would be to come and ask us younger fishermen. Whatever you manage right now, the likes of myself or my mates don’t ever hear about anything or get asked any questions about what we think about this. We just see it happening and have to adapt to it.” That has to change. However, as the motion testifies in highlighting the lack of a Government debate on the subject, fishing appears to be a very low priority for the Government. I know that those in the fishing community were keen on Brexit, as they thought that being outside the European Union would deal with many of the issues that they faced. Sadly, however, that has not been the case, and there is now even less focus on fishing.”
“I thank Beatrice Wishart for securing this members’ business debate and for her fitting tribute to Dr Ian Napier. I, too, send my condolences to his family. I recently had the privilege of hosting the Our Seas coalition exhibition and reception in the Parliament. It was clear to me from that event, and from speaking to the fishing community throughout the Highlands and Islands, how disengaged from decision makers the industry feels. Bailey Dacker, who took part in the exhibition, summarised a lot of the feeling around decision making when he said: “I don’t feel like I have a say in the decisions made about the sea, but I’d like to. A lot of the decisions by the government aren’t taking into consideration the fishermen’s thoughts at the moment.”
“We know that urban healthcare is in crisis, but rural healthcare is always lagging behind. We need both of them to improve and we need a degree of equality in service provision throughout Scotland. 16:27”
“One patient experienced a delay of four years and 147 days. Such cases are heartbreaking for the people who are involved. What hope is there for frailty teams where there is no alternative to hospital? When it comes to attracting staff, there are complex issues to consider, such as housing, facilities and services. I have spoken to those in the chamber again and again—and, sadly, I will no doubt return to them—but I will not go into them today. Previous solutions have had very little impact. What has been the impact of the national centre for remote and rural health and care? What are the outcomes? What has it done? I also note that ScotGEM has provided only two GPs since 2016. I feel that those projects are diversions to take attention away from failures and that they do nothing.”
“Between March 2022 and April 2024, five independent sector care homes closed in Highland. During that period, the public sector acquired a care home that was in administration in order to prevent its closure and a further loss of bed provision. That meant that, at the end of April 2022, in-house and external social care services in Highland were able to provide 14,497 hours of care between them each week. By the end of February 2024, that had reduced to 13,423 hours, which represents a decrease of 1,074 hours in just two years even though demand has actually increased. That is placing pressure on hard- working staff, who are leaving for better-paid jobs that lead to less burn-out. At the same time, people who experience delayed discharge in NHS Highland are delayed by an average of 88 days.”
“Training is based on superspecialism and working in teams that see a conveyor belt of patients, whereas people in rural practice need different skills, such as self-reliance and a breadth of knowledge. Depth of knowledge is valued more highly in pay and status, and breadth of knowledge is not recognised. That is true not only of consultants but in all other health careers. To be frank, I am not sure that that approach works for anyone, because diagnosis can take much longer under the system that we are pursuing. Superspecialism also leads to centralisation, because a specialist needs a huge cohort of patients with very specific conditions in order to keep their skills honed. Patients need to travel, which comes at a huge personal and financial cost. Social care is also suffering from staff shortages.”
“This Government continues to design and deliver services with urban areas in mind. The way in which training is delivered does not work for those who live in rural Scotland. It forces them from their communities to access training, which means that we are ignoring a potential workforce, and we know that those who leave to access training very seldom return. In the Highlands and Islands, we have high levels of consultant vacancies—per 100,000 people, NHS Western Isles has 41 vacancies, NHS Shetland has 37 and NHS Highland has 30— and that mismanagement leads to eye-watering locum costs. It is difficult to attract staff to rural areas because the training does not equip trainees with the skills that they need for rural practice.”
“I know that that is not as simple as it sounds, given the number of private companies that are involved. However, I would welcome an update on progress and possible solutions when the minister sums up. The bill is worthy, but, like every member’s bill, it is restricted because it does not have the power of the Government behind it. I urge the Government to look at the issues that were raised during the bill’s passage and to consider providing solutions to protect animal welfare and to stop the illegal trade in puppies. 17:40”
“I hope that the publicity campaign on the bill encourages people to walk away from those sales. Although that appears to be cruel in the short term, it is the only way to stop the illegal puppy trade. At stage 2, there were a number of amendments on microchipping registers. At the time, the Scottish Government undertook to work with the UK Government on the issue, because it was preferable to have a UK-wide microchipping register. There are a number of privately administered registers, and it is not always clear to a buyer whether a dog has indeed been microchipped, and the registers can be complex to update. It would be helpful to have a UK-wide register that would allow people to check the previous ownership of their pet. A single register would also make it easier to find puppy farmers and put them out of business.”
“Few would choose to do that, but will they step back if they are faced with a seller who does not appear to be legitimate? As happens now, they might not. I do not think that the certificate would be enough to dissuade them. We all know of people who, in good faith, have sought to buy a dog, and when it became clear that they were not buying from a reputable breeder, most will admit that they bought the dog regardless. The alternative would have been for them to leave the dog in the ownership of a seller who obviously did not care about the dog’s welfare, and they could not bring themselves to do that. There are many sad stories of people who acquire dogs in that way, paying dearly for their pet and paying yet again for the vet fees to try to restore their animal’s health.”
“I congratulate Christine Grahame on introducing this member’s bill. Throughout her career, she has fought to improve animal welfare, and the bill is testament to that. I thank all those who helped to bring the bill to the Parliament and who gave evidence. The frustration, as always with a member’s bill, is that the levers that are available to the Government are not available to members. There are many things that we would have liked to have seen in the bill that are not there. The bill will give prospective buyers a pause, so that they can reflect on the issues that are in the code. For reasonable, law-abiding people, that may lead them to change their mind on dog ownership or, indeed, on whether the breed of dog that they are seeking to own is practical for them, but will it stop them buying from puppy farmers?”
“In this case, sections 7(1) and 7(2) of the bill already require that they are provided, not just when the code is introduced but when they are needed. Members’ bills get publicity at their birth, but they do not get it thereafter in the same way that Government bills do. They should be treated the same. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Ariane Burgess to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 23. Ariane Burgess: In the interests of time, I wind up. I will not press the amendment. Amendment 23, by agreement, withdrawn. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That ends stage 3 consideration of amendments. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill”
“We expect that publicising the new code will require a significant public awareness- raising campaign, ideally with co-ordinated messaging from the main welfare organisations and enforcement agencies. We will be working with stakeholder organisations to consider the most effective way of doing that. I ask Ariane Burgess not to press the amendment. Christine Grahame: I thank Ariane Burgess for lodging amendment 23. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have long highlighted the need for all Scottish Governments to treat members’ bills in the same manner as their own bills, once they are enacted as law. They both become acts of the Scottish Parliament, so it follows that the provision of resources for public awareness campaigns should go without saying.”
“I thank the SSPCA and the British Veterinary Association, which have given their support to amendment 23. I also thank the minister and his team for their engagement on the issue ahead of stage 3. With sufficient assurances today, I will consider not pressing amendment 23 to a vote. I move amendment 23. Jim Fairlie: I thank Ariane Burgess for explaining amendment 23 and for the engagement that she and I have had. However, I remind the member that section 7 of the bill already includes a duty on the Scottish ministers to “take reasonable steps to ensure public awareness and understanding of the code of practice.” It is the view of the Scottish Government that taking “reasonable steps” would, by implication, include ensuring that there were suitable resources available, so amendment 23 is unnecessary.”
“Perhaps we should not move amendments en bloc in the future. Amendment 22 not moved. Section 7—Public awareness and understanding of code The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 6 is on public awareness and understanding of code. Amendment 23, in the name of Ariane Burgess, is the only amendment in the group. Ariane Burgess: Amendment 23 returns to an issue that I previously raised at stage 2, relating to how the Government and public bodies will promote public awareness of the code of practice. Without a high level of public awareness of the code, the legislation will not promote the behaviour change that we all wish to see when it comes to selling and acquiring dogs and puppies. For that, there must be sufficient resources for effective public awareness campaigns and related activities.”
“Amendment 1 agreed to. Amendments 2 and 3 moved—[Christine Grahame]—and agreed to. Amendment 10 not moved. Amendment 11 moved—[Maurice Golden]—and agreed to. Section 6—Effect of code The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 5 is on effect of code. Amendment 20, in the name of Ross Greer, is grouped with amendments 21 and 22. Ross Greer: Members will be pleased to know, given the impending weather pattern and travel disruption, that I will not be moving amendments 20 to 22. They are either consequential or closely related to what we have just thoroughly debated. I imagine that the outcome of a vote would be similar, so I am happy not to move any of them. Amendment 20 not moved. Amendment 21 not moved. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Ross Greer to move or not move amendment 22. Ross Greer: Not moved.”
“Failure to do so will be evidence that the person has committed the offence of failing to give information and assistance to an inspector or a constable when exercising a relevant power under schedule 1 to the 2006 act. It may also be evidence that the person has committed an animal welfare offence under the act. That is all set out in section 6. I am glad to hear that Maurice Golden will not move amendment 10, so I will not continue with my remarks in that regard. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Christine Grahame, do you wish to add anything by way of wind-up? Christine Grahame: No. I will press amendment 1. The dizziness was metaphorical. I have had concern shown for me in the chamber. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I am delighted to note the concern that members have kindly shown Ms Grahame, and that everything is all right.”
“Section 6 of the bill states: “A person’s failure to comply with any provision of the code of practice does not in itself make the person liable to proceedings of any sort.” However, it goes on to say: “In any proceedings for a relevant offence ... failure to comply with a relevant provision of the code of practice may be relied upon as tending to establish liability”. In the bill, the word “must” is used to describe the content that ministers must include in the code, and “is to” has been used to describe the expectations on the persons to whom the code applies. The effect is that there will be a provision in the code for acquirers to keep the certificate and to produce it when reasonably requested in an investigation.”
“However, having listened to the contribution from Christine Grahame, I have decided not to move amendment 10. 17:15 Jim Fairlie: I support the amendments proposed by Christine Grahame, which will make it clear to dog owners the importance of retaining the certificate to show to an inspector or police when that person reasonably requires to see it in accordance with their powers under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. To add to what Christine Grahame has said about the obligation, there will be a clear expectation in the code of practice for persons responsible for animals to take the relevant action.”
“It makes plain the obligations of the acquirer and its status if requested by an appropriate agency, such as the SSPCA or the police—it is not for the general public—in the case of a possible animal welfare issue. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Have you concluded, Ms Grahame? Christine Grahame: I do not know—I am just going to check. All the debate about shock collars has made me a bit dizzy, but I will finish. I move amendment 1. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Maurice Golden to speak to amendment 10 and other amendments in the group. Maurice Golden: We are very supportive of Christine Grahame’s amendments in the group. My amendment 10 seeks to reflect that some breeders use puppy contracts, which contain similar information to what the bill suggests. For example, the Kennel Club’s use of puppy contracts is extensive.”
“I seek assurances from the minister, during the debate that will follow these stage 3 proceedings, that the published certificate will first be short, so that people engage with it; secondly, be in plain English; and thirdly, leave an acquirer with a clear sense of the responsibility that they are signing up to in getting a dog, including by asking them to demonstrate that they fully understand all the responsibilities that are set out in the certificate. None of that is meant to be punitive; it is meant to educate people prior to acquiring a puppy or dog. I understand the intentions of Maurice Golden’s amendment 10. However, I submit that what is proposed is an unnecessary complication because the significance of the certificate will be clear. I have seen a draft of a certificate and I am not too unhappy about it.”
“Amendments 1 to 3, in combination with what is already in the bill, mean that the certificate needs to be kept by the person who is acquiring the dog for the whole period of ownership of the dog and be shown on request, for example to an animal welfare inspector or police officer. A failure to produce a signed certificate can be evidential when someone is accused of animal welfare offences. The certificate must include a requirement on the acquirer to confirm that they understand why they should keep the certificate and the consequences if they cannot present it when asked to do so.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Maurice Golden to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 7. Maurice Golden: I agree with the previous contributions regarding a UK-wide system for microchipping and, indeed, checking of microchipping via vets. I will press amendment 7. Amendment 7 agreed to. Amendment 8 moved—[Maurice Golden]—and agreed to. Section 4—Content of code: certificate Amendment 9 moved—[Maurice Golden]—and agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We turn to group 4, which is on the certificate. Amendment 1 is grouped with amendments 2, 3 and 10. Christine Grahame: My amendments 1 to 3 add further weight to the importance of the certificate. The certificate needs to make clear to the person who is acquiring a dog the importance of the decision that they are taking and the responsibility that they are taking on.”
“The amendments will ensure that the definition of a microchip is consistent with other legislation, specifically the 2016 regulations. We support the amendments. Christine Grahame: I, too, support these amendments from Maurice Golden—members will think that he and I are in cahoots—because they align with my policy intention in relation to microchipping and they complement the code and the certification process. The amendments also provide me with the opportunity to set out my long-held support for microchipping and to make a plea for accelerated progress—I quite agree with Rhoda Grant on this—towards a UK-wide database, or databases that communicate with each other. We should keep up gentle pressure on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which can accelerate the process.”
“If Maurice Golden’s amendments are agreed to, it would put the onus on the buyer to ensure that the dogs are microchipped on purchase. That might go a long way to deal with dog theft and puppy farming, so I support the amendments. Jim Fairlie: These amendments mean that, in making the code, the Scottish ministers will consider whether to require the prospective acquirer to confirm that the dog has been microchipped. That is in line with the obligation that is already in place to microchip under regulation 6 of the Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016, which states that “every keeper of a dog which is older than 8 weeks must ensure that it is microchipped.” Furthermore, the certificate will require the prospective acquirer to confirm whether they have received the microchip details.”
“I have. Let me try again. That does not appear to have worked. The Deputy Presiding Officer: It is obviously not ideal that nobody can see you make your contribution, but given the particular circumstances of where we are now at eight minutes past five, I invite you to make your contribution. Rhoda Grant: Thank you, Presiding Officer. My contribution will be very short. We looked at microchipping registers during stage 2, and the consensus was that it was better carried out on a UK-wide basis, but I support Maurice Golden’s amendments. I recognise that microchipping can be used to trace dog ownership and is a tool that can be used to identify and discourage illegal puppy farms. Those breeders do not have the welfare of dogs at heart, and they exploit potential buyers.”
“The First Minister will be aware of the eye- watering increases in haulage costs for perishable food to businesses in Uist. In some cases, prices have increased by 120 per cent, stopping some food supplies within the islands. Press reports state that DFDS has already engaged with the Scottish Government about the issue. What is the outcome of that engagement? Will the First Minister act to protect consumers in Uist? Will he now stop the 10 per cent ferry fare increase to the islands?”