Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-06544, in the name of Paul Wheelhouse, on the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill. Before I invite ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead) SNP

I had thought that more members would have hung about for the highlights.For the purposes of rule 9.11 of the standing orders, I advise Parliament that Her M...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I advise members that we are quite tight for time. I call Paul Wheelhouse to speak to and move the motion. Minister, you have nine minutes.16:34

The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse) SNP

I am pleased to open this stage 3 debate on the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill. At the outset, my thanks go to the Rural Affairs, Climate Change a...

Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

Surely not.

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

That is very kind of you, Mr Fergusson.I am sure that every member in the chamber will agree that Scotland is fortunate in having a thriving aquaculture indu...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I need you to bring your remarks to a close.

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

I apologise, Presiding Officer.Effective monitoring and enforcement of marine and fishing laws is vital if we are to protect Scotland’s valuable marine areas...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Scottish Labour recognises the significance and importance of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill, and of regulation and the wild fisheries review,...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I must ask you to bring your remarks to a close.

Claudia Beamish Lab

I will do so, Presiding Officer. The building of good relationships is perhaps more important than anything else, and it is an absolute imperative for the fu...

Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

The passage of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill has been a long and arduous process, and I begin my speech at stage 3 in the same way that I beg...

The Presiding Officer NPA

We now move to a very short open debate. I am afraid that, in order to be able to call all members, I cannot give you any more than three minutes. If you cou...

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP) SNP

As a relatively new member of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, I am pleased to have been able to take part in scrutiny of the bil...

The Presiding Officer NPA

You must bring your remarks to a close, please.

Angus MacDonald SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer.We should never lose sight of the fact that whether we are talking about farmed or wild salmon, this is a good news story for Sc...

Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab) Lab

I have not been involved in the bill’s passage but, although I recognise the concerns that members have expressed, I want to use the very short time that I h...

The Presiding Officer NPA

You must bring your remarks to a close, please.

Elaine Murray Lab

Moreover, police now have powers of access to private land and can enforce that right in order to investigate the reports of possible illegal activity that I...

Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD) LD

To claim that the bill’s progress through its committee stages was without controversy would be pushing it, to say the least. I believe that it marks the fir...

The Presiding Officer NPA

No, you do not. You need to bring your remarks to a close as quickly as possible.

Jim Hume LD

I am glad that we have produced a bill that provides for training requirements on equipment. In anticipation of the bill’s being passed at decision time, I c...

Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

I am the convener of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee, which has had long oversight of the bill and welcomes its progress.I was pl...

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, in relation to fisheries.There is widespread recognition of the importance of aquaculture ...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

The bill has been an attempt to address some of the issues surrounding wild fisheries and the aquaculture sector. Although the debate is an opportunity to re...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Paul Wheelhouse to wind up the debate. You have five minutes, minister.17:11

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

I will try my best, Presiding Officer.I thank all members for their contributions to today’s debate. One thing that I did not mention earlier but which I wou...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I thank all members for their co-operation in what was a very short space of time.