Ms Ferguson explained to MSPs that her proposed legislation would introduce compulsory registration for factors.

BBC: Factoring services debate

Conservative peer and former RSPCA chair Baroness Fookes said the organisation had long-supported compulsory registration of dogs as the solution "to manifold problems".

BBC: Mandatory micro-chipping for dogs planned

He pointed to the creation of a voluntary code of practice by trade associations, but said a compulsory registration scheme would simply regulate those in least need "while the cowboy continued to operate".

BBC: Cowboy fears stop essential maintenance

The committee was told there were 37, 000 registered bee keepers in England and Wales - but as there was no compulsory registration, unlike in France and New Zealand - that was only a rough estimate of how many people actually kept bees.

BBC: Dying bees 'were not a priority'