Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 December 2024
11 Dec 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
A report by Quality Meat Scotland highlights that the continuation of existing trends will result in a 5.6 per cent reduction in the number of Scottish-born animals—it works out at 20,500 over the next six years. A growing UK population and a downward trend in beef production mean that the UK could require a 74 per cent increase in net imports. A smaller beef sector would have a significant impact on the rural economy, with annual output falling by £72 million and the number of jobs sustained in a rural area falling by more than 1,000. Did the minister consider the impact of the introduction of this conditionality on the size of the Scottish beef herd and the resulting impact on the rural economy?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-15809, on approval of a Scottish statutory instrument. I ask Jamie Hepburn to m...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
This SSI will unfairly disadvantage small herd farmers and crofters, especially those who are farming on islands and poorer land. It imposes a calving interv...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I agree with what Rhoda Grant said, and I thank her for bringing the issue up. It would be fair to say—I do not know whether she agrees with me—that it is no...
Rhoda Grant
Lab
I agree that there has to be a better way than this. Others have asked for a derogation for small herds, but that is not provided for in the instrument. The...
The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Jim Fairlie)
SNP
This policy intervention demonstrates that the Government and the industry have engaged and collaborated to identify workable solutions to the challenges tha...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
I totally agree with Rhoda Grant’s comments, not just about crofters but about small producers in the Borders, for example, who have been in touch with me. T...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Always speak through the chair, please.
Jim Fairlie
SNP
I will cover the points that Rachael Hamilton has raised, but first I will continue with what I was saying. Our approach to how we will protect suckler beef...
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Can the minister reassure me that the force majeure measures in the SSI can be activated by crofters and small producers in extenuating circumstances and tha...
Jim Fairlie
SNP
Ariane Burgess is stealing my thunder. If she gives me a couple of seconds, I will come to that in my speech. In contrast, we are working in partnership wit...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
A report by Quality Meat Scotland highlights that the continuation of existing trends will result in a 5.6 per cent reduction in the number of Scottish-born ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
In conclusion, minister.
Jim Fairlie
SNP
The policy has been in place for a number of years, and it has been shown to slow down the decline in suckler cow numbers. I am actively looking at ways not ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
The point about herd size is critical not just at a national level but in areas such as Orkney, where we have seen that reduction in numbers—and the knock-on...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Minister—you must conclude at this point.
Jim Fairlie
SNP
I will always be more than open to having any discussions, but I will not get into too much detail on the size of the herd—I am going to move on. As a Gover...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question on the motion will be put at decision time. The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions, S6M-15810 and S6M-1...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question on the motions will be put at decision time.