Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-04799, in the name of Lorna Slater, on Scotland’s national parks. I invite those members who wish to spea...

The Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity (Lorna Slater) Green

Scotland is a rich, diverse and beautiful country, from the rolling hills in the Borders to the rugged mountains and sinuous sea lochs of the west, the croft...

Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) SNP

Does the minister agree that a fourth consideration should be added to the three that she mentioned—namely, the fourth aim of the national parks in Scotland,...

Lorna Slater Green

The member is quite right that the aims of our parks were established in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. I remind all of us that the four aims are: ...

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

We know that national parks must have a coherent identity as well as being of outstanding quality in terms of natural and cultural heritage. They must not be...

Lorna Slater Green

Of course, the member is correct. Our parks are living, breathing, dynamic spaces with communities in them who live and work there, including our agricultura...

Fergus Ewing SNP

Does the minister recognise that one of the reasons for the decline of the capercaillie and the lack of new members of the species is the lack of predator co...

Lorna Slater Green

I discussed that at a meeting with the park authorities last week. They are looking at a broad range of measures for improving capercaillie numbers, includin...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Can the minister explain why it has taken so long to look at a third—and possibly, I hope, a fourth, fifth and sixth—national park in Scotland?

Lorna Slater Green

Absolutely—I will cover the timescale in the course of my speech. I will continue, so that I can get to the point at which I can answer the member’s question...

Finlay Carson Con

My question is on a technicality. Will the minister set out what the process will be, should there be multiple bids from different organisations or individua...

Lorna Slater Green

The specifics of the evaluation criteria have not yet been established; we will look at the process as we go forward. The member raises an excellent point, h...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Minister, please bring your remarks to a close.

Lorna Slater Green

Therefore, I cannot accept calls to shortcut the process or to shorten it at the expense of public engagement. I move, That the Parliament recognises the k...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

I thank the Scottish Government for bringing such an important debate to the chamber. Scottish Conservatives broadly agree with the sentiments expressed in t...

Fergus Ewing SNP

I understand that there is a target for 40 per cent of new trees planted to be from native species. However, does Brian Whittle recognise that Sitka spruce h...

Brian Whittle Con

Fergus Ewing is absolutely right, but there has been a predominance of Sitka over the past wee while. It is recognised that overplanting Sitka decreases biod...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Whittle, did you move the amendment?

Brian Whittle Con

I apologise. I move amendment S6M-04799.1, to insert at end: “; notes the significant local support from communities involved in national park campaigns ac...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Before I call the next speaker, I remind everybody who is seeking to speak in the debate to make sure that their request-to-speak button is pressed and conti...

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

More than two years ago, Parliament unanimously agreed to support an amendment that I lodged that recognised the contribution that our current national parks...

Fergus Ewing SNP

There are benefits from being within a national park, but does Colin Smyth recognise that many people who live in Cairngorms national park feel that there ha...

Colin Smyth Lab

There is absolutely no doubt that Fergus Ewing has raised an important point about the lack of housing in many of our rural communities. That is why I have c...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Beatrice Wishart, who joins us remotely. 15:28

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I convey my apologies, as I must leave the debate early in order to meet my travel commitments later this afternoon. I have permission from the Presiding Off...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. 15:33

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate about the creation of at least one new national park in Scotland. I will focus on the campaign for a nationa...

Finlay Carson Con

Will the member take an intervention?

Emma Harper SNP

I will, if Mr Carson is quick.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Briefly, Mr Carson.