Committee
Public Petitions Committee, 28 Apr 2004
28 Apr 2004 · S2 · Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department Equine Industry Team (PE723)
The Scottish Parliament motion that is based on the petition has all-party support and has also been supported by an independent member. The equine industry in Scotland is a sleeping giant that could and should be harnessed for the benefit of Scotland's rural economy. That is what the petition is about.The false impression has been gained that the industry concerns just a few wee lassies in a field somewhere and not much more. The fact is that, as members have just heard, equestrianism in Scotland is worth at least £200 million to the Scottish economy. Hundreds of thousands of people are involved; there are weekly competitions and equestrianism is a major contributor to rural employment and services. Massive potential exists for input to the economy and society through, for example, sports tourism, bed-and-breakfast equestrianism, riding schools, pony trekking and riding for the disabled.The industry is not asking for money, but for recognition and the ability to co-ordinate its efforts for the benefit of Scotland's economy and society. Equestrianism is a key that can be used to unlock Scotland's rural economy, given that, as members know, agriculture and fishing have recently had massive problems. The industry involves myriad small businesses, in rural and urban areas, such as farriers, saddlers and all kinds of equine suppliers. The problem is that Scotland is in danger of being left behind England, which has a dedicated team for the equestrian industry within Government and a minister who is responsible for developments.The opportunity to give Scotland the advantage of an overall umbrella organisation will be lost without positive input from the Scottish Executive. The petition asks for a dedicated horse team, or at least an individual, in the Executive that is responsible for the equine industry, in order to fulfil the industry's potential. Scotland is in danger of losing out unless action is taken now. We seek the committee's help in enabling Scotland's equestrian industry to fulfil its potential for Scotland's economy and people.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Lab
Petition PE723, which is from Ms Muriel Colquhoun, calls on the Parliament to urge the Executive to appoint in its Environment and Rural Affairs Department a...
Muriel Colquhoun (Scottish Equestrian Association):
The time starts now. Good morning. Tim Watson, who is on my right, is the Scottish Equestrian Association's vice-chairman, and Alan Murray, on my left, is we...
The Convener:
Lab
Andrew Welsh will make a short comment in support of the petitioners.
Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP):
SNP
The Scottish Parliament motion that is based on the petition has all-party support and has also been supported by an independent member. The equine industry ...
Linda Fabiani:
SNP
Muriel Colquhoun said that the Henley report covers the United Kingdom, but that it will underpin the future strategy for England only. She said that Wales a...
Muriel Colquhoun:
Those countries are working on strategies, as is happening in England. The problem is that the industry is diverse and involves myriad activities. The subjec...
Linda Fabiani:
SNP
Are you saying that England already has a strategy that is underpinned by the Henley report—I read somewhere that the Department for Environment, Food and Ru...
Muriel Colquhoun:
Yes.
Linda Fabiani:
SNP
But Scotland is not doing that at all.
Muriel Colquhoun:
No. DEFRA has Alun Michael and an official for horses, which means that two people are pulling together all the fragments, which, like confetti, are spread e...
Linda Fabiani:
SNP
Thank you. I just wanted you to make that clear.
John Scott:
Con
What support is being given to the horse industry in England that is not being given in Scotland? What benefits are likely to accrue from having someone who ...
Muriel Colquhoun:
I will ask Tim Watson to respond to that question. I should say that the basic difference between what is happening in Scotland and in England is that the st...
Dr Tim Watson (Scottish Equestrian Association):
A year ago, in having an organisation that supported equestrianism Scotland was well ahead of England, where the situation was very fragmented. However, with...
Muriel Colquhoun:
The Scottish Equestrian Association has 24 members with a couple of applications pending. South of the border, there is a whole mass of different elements su...
John Scott:
Con
So making Ross Finnie the minister for the horse would have tangible benefits for the equine industry in Scotland.
Muriel Colquhoun:
You had better ask Ross Finnie that. It might be rather difficult for the Scottish Executive to appoint a minister for the horse, but it would be helpful to ...
Mr Welsh:
SNP
As far as lack of information is concerned, I have to say that you cannot have a policy unless it is based on information. In that respect, when I asked parl...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
Let me attempt to clarify matters. You are raising some process issues, but I am not clear about your objectives. Is it your objective to have an all-encompa...
Muriel Colquhoun:
Obviously, I would like there to be both a strategy and one person in the Scottish Executive who has knowledge of the industry. I wonder how we will get a st...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
I do not want to open up a wider discussion of how the civil service is constructed, but let us assume that it is made up of generalists rather than speciali...
Muriel Colquhoun:
Yes. It would certainly help if the civil servant concerned had a listening ear.
Mr Welsh:
SNP
I suggest that England has answered Jackie Baillie's question. Because the industry is diffuse and complex, there is a need to create a focal point in Govern...
Jackie Baillie:
Lab
My question was less esoteric than that. Which is more important—a person or a strategy?
Mr Welsh:
SNP
Both are important.
Dr Watson:
The Scottish Equestrian Association can draw up a strategy, but that would be to take a unilateral approach. We would prefer to take a bilateral approach and...
Muriel Colquhoun:
The Scottish Equestrian Association has a further four-year plan, which covers the period from 2004 to 2007. I was fortunate to get help from sportscotland i...
Mike Watson:
Lab
I am not unsympathetic to the case for having one person who is responsible for the equine industry. However, from the list of your members that has been dis...
Muriel Colquhoun:
The link with racing relates to the new racing school, which the Scottish Equestrian Association is starting up at Oatridge land-based college before going o...
Alan Murray (Scottish Equestrian Association):
Mike Watson has grasped the subject; he has stated how broad the industry is. If Ross Finnie were the minister in charge of the industry, he could not carry ...