Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-09648, in the name of Roseanna Cunningham, on the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill at ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Roseanna Cunningham) SNP

I am pleased to open this brief debate. At the outset, I thank all stakeholders who provided evidence and the committee members involved for their detailed a...

John Scott (Ayr) (Con) Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

It has to be very brief, Mr Scott, as the cabinet secretary is over her time.

John Scott Con

Thank you. Will the guidance be issued timeously?

Roseanna Cunningham SNP

Yes, it will. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill be passed. 15:48

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

Here we are again, ringside, at stage 3 of the bill. In sincerity, I am delighted that, as we reach the end of what has been an eventful year in politics, we...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I know that there is more of that to come. 15:52

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Labour will support the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill at decision time. As a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform...

Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP) SNP

The road to the point at which, in less than a couple of hours, we will, I hope, pass the bill has been long, to say the least. It was 13 years ago that the ...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

In the stage 1 debate there were plenty of puns. My contribution will certainly not be as slick as Donald Cameron’s, but I ask members to bear with me, as it...

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to what I hope will be the next step in ending cruelty and distress inflicted on animals in travelling cir...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I declare an interest as a member of the British Veterinary Association. I welcome today’s stage 3 debate, which marks a watershed moment. For years, there ...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

As Mark Ruskell did, I declare that I am an honorary member of the BVA. Unlike most other speakers in the debate, I do not have the benefit of having sat thr...

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP) SNP

I am sure that I speak for all members of the committee when I say that I am pleased to see the bill finally being put to sleep at the end of stage 3, not le...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Scottish Labour welcomes the passing of the bill, which is, I hope, imminent. As the cabinet secretary stated, wild animals in circuses should not be a spect...

John Scott (Ayr) (Con) Con

I declare an interest as an honorary member of the British Veterinary Association. Along with it, I welcome the passage of the bill. The BVA and the Scottis...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you, Mr Scott. I call Roseanna Cunningham to close for the Government. Cabinet secretary, you can have seven minutes if you want. You obviously do not—...

Roseanna Cunningham SNP

I will speak very slowly, Presiding Officer. I thank all the members who are here today and who have taken part in a lively, informed and very interesting d...

John Scott Con

Colin Smyth raised the matter of local authorities. Is the cabinet secretary optimistic that the amendments that she lodged at stage 2 and the guidance that ...

Roseanna Cunningham SNP

We will continue to engage with stakeholders including COSLA. I thank the ever-gallant John Scott for his intervention, which helped to use up some time. I ...

Mark Ruskell Green

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Roseanna Cunningham SNP

I am at the limit of the time that I have for my closing speech. I ask members to support the motion and agree that the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses ...