Meeting of the Parliament 30 October 2025 [Draft]
The reason why I wanted to finish the point before I took Sarah Boyack’s intervention was because I wanted to stress that I am listening and am thinking of lodging my own amendments in relation to the issue. However, as Sarah Boyack knows, I am also keen to talk to members about how the bill can be strengthened.
The point was made that we cannot rely on the current Government or flavour of Administration. We need to make sure that, in the event of political decisions being made for this country by people in Government who do not share our views on nature protection, we protect nature against any future Government’s overturning of protection for nature.
I am keen to hear members’ views in this debate on how part 2 can be improved and ensure that the Parliament is sending a strong and united message to everyone that we are in support of the bill. It represents the next step in our journey to become nature positive by 2030 and to restore and regenerate biodiversity by 2045. It is ambitious and necessary, but it is only one part of the wider effort that we must make across Government, sectors and society.
I want to deliver an effective bill. I am listening to proposals that will strengthen it, and I am committed to working with stakeholders and members across the chamber to ensure that it delivers the change that our natural environment urgently needs.
I move,
That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill.