The fourth agenda item is consideration of two consent notifications relating to proposed UK statutory instruments. The first is on biocidal products. Under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation, companies must obtain authorisation from the Health and Safety Executive to market biocidal products. Biocidal products are substances or mixtures that are designed to control harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects or rodents.

The amendment regulations relate not to the substance of that regulation but to a data protection aspect in it, as outlined in the clerk’s paper. The committee’s role is to decide whether it agrees with the Scottish Government about the proposed change. We can express a view both on whether we agree in principle to the UK Government legislating in the area and on whether we agree with the specific manner in which it proposes to do so.

If we are content for consent to be given, I will write to the Scottish Government accordingly. In writing to the Scottish Government, we of course have the option to draw matters to the Government’s attention, pose questions or ask to be kept updated on particular matters. If the committee is not content with the proposal, it might make one or several recommendations, as outlined in the clerk’s note.

I do not see anyone who wants to express a view, so I will move to the substantive question. Is the committee content that the provision that is set out in the notification should be made in the proposed UK statutory instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Of course, the danger in saying that you have the last question is that a committee member can then ask to come in. Mark Ruskell, I will give way to you as long as it is a brief question.

We are starting the next item slightly later than I anticipated, so I apologise to anyone who has been kept waiting.

Our third item of business is consideration of two statutory instruments, both of which are laid under the negative procedure, which means that they will come into force unless the Parliament agrees to a motion to annul them. No motions to annul have been lodged. The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee has made no comment on either instrument. I will seek views on each of them in turn.

Unless anyone else has any comments on the order, I will make a general comment. Although I have no problem with the order, it would be helpful to know the Government’s position on it and whether, by extending the trading scheme for a further period—which will allow motor manufacturers to trade off progress against the current targets to allow them to achieve their future emissions targets—that will affect progress on electric vehicles.

In general, I agree with the order, so unless the committee has a reason to do otherwise, I propose to write to the Government and ask it to explain that, but then to make no other comment. Are we happy to do that?

Members indicated agreement.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the 33rd meeting in 2025 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. I welcome to the meeting Sarah Boyack, who is attending as a substitute member for Monica Lennon for consideration of the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill. Under rule 9.13A of our standing orders, Monica Lennon is not entitled to exercise the rights of a committee member in relation to the bill, because she is the member in charge of the bill. That means that she cannot participate as a committee member in any item of business that relates to the bill. However, as we can see, Monica is present for the evidence session and, as is the case with all other members of the Scottish Parliament when they attend a committee, she will be entitled to ask some questions at the end of the session.

I would like to make everyone aware that, at an appropriate moment after 10:50, I will pause the meeting to allow members to observe the armistice day two-minute silence in the garden lobby. I have said to the witnesses that I will escort them to the event if they are here at that time and would like to attend.

Under our first item of business, do committee members agree to take in private item 3, which is consideration of the evidence that we will have heard earlier in the meeting on the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill, including consideration of our approach to further scrutiny at stage 1?

Members indicated agreement.

I will bring in Iain Batho, followed by Rachael Weir and Murdo MacLeod. That will put them out of the pain of waiting.

Douglas Lumsden has a supplementary question.

Rachel Killean wants to come in on that point. At this stage, I will say that I always try to balance the answers and the questions, and I have to live with all the committee members after today, so, if I run out of time and cannot let them get their questions in, I get into trouble with them and my life becomes difficult. Therefore, I am looking for short questions and short answers.

I wanted to have a hard stop at 20 past 12, so I am afraid that I will have to stop here, as we are seven minutes past that.

I thank all the panel members for giving evidence in such detail today. I give special thanks to Rachel Killean, as it is nearly half past 11 at night where she is. It shows remarkable fortitude that she can give evidence that late in the evening—I am not sure that I would be able to.

We will now move into private session.

As no other members have questions to ask, I will bring in Monica Lennon.