To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to deliver on its commitment to produce a national register of ancient woodland. (S6O-03596)

A new national register of ancient woodland is an important element of the Scottish biodiversity strategy and delivery plan, which we consulted on last year. We have been discussing with NatureScot and Scottish Forestry the best approach to developing a new register of ancient woodland, which will build on the existing Scottish ancient woodland inventory.

I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer, but she did not say when the Government plans to deliver that register. I accept that there have been talks and consultations, but if we are to be able to protect and restore our ancient woodland, we need to know where it is, how much of it there is and what condition it is in. I urge the cabinet secretary to have another go at the original question and to tell me when we will see a national register.

Graham Simpson has raised some important points. I completely understand and agree with him about the importance of the work. I recognise and admit that it has not progressed as quickly as any of us would have liked it to progress, which I fully appreciate, because the work that we have been taking forward has been focused on the biodiversity strategy and its delivery plan. That work has been very complex, because it involves a range of organisations that have interests in delivery of the strategy.

I am completely aware of the importance of providing a national register of ancient woodland and I offer the assurance, now that we are through the first stage of the strategy and are moving into the delivery phase, that that work will be prioritised in order to help us to ensure that our important ancient woodlands are protected. I would be more than happy to keep Graham Simpson informed, as we progress that work.

That concludes portfolio questions on rural affairs, land reform and Islands. I was unable to take questions from a few members, but they were not here for the start of the question session. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.