Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 31 October 2024
31 Oct 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Invasive Non-native Species
I thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing the debate to the chamber.
As we have already heard from Christine Grahame, curiosity can be a strange thing, especially when it comes to plants. Many plants from various corners of the world have found their way into Scotland’s botanical gardens. For the gardeners among us, some have successfully flourished, despite our challenging weather. However, many of them fall by the wayside and cannot cope with the rain, sleet or freezing temperatures.
Unfortunately, a few do conolise, and we have heard about some conolising the bottom of Christine Grahame’s garden—in Newton Stewart, I presume.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-13402, in the name of Audrey Nicoll, on invasive non-native species in Scotland. The de...
Audrey Nicoll (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I am very pleased to bring the debate to the chamber. I thank every member who signed the motion, and every member who is speaking today. The motion centres...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
Presiding Officer, I apologise to you and members as I will have to leave the chamber shortly after delivering my speech. I thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Torrance, I need to ask you to conclude your remarks.
David Torrance
SNP
I camp with the scouts, holiday in the Highlands and explore the countryside with my dogs. Our environmental heritage is there for us to see, but a walk on a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Mr Torrance. I remind members that those who speak in a debate but wish to leave early are required to seek prior permission from the Presiding O...
Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con)
Con
I thank Audrey Nicoll for lodging this important motion for debate. I will address two invasive species—grey squirrels and giant hogweed—that can be found in...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I also thank Audrey Baird and Fiona Baker, two of my constituents, who have been cal...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Beatrice Wishart, who is joining us remotely. 13:11
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing this important topic to the chamber. On its website, the organisation the Wildlife Trusts estimates that wild pollinators...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I thank Audrey Nicoll for lodging the motion and for securing the debate, which has been quite fascinating. Members have underlined that non-native invasive ...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Like Mark Ruskell, I think that this is an interesting and important topic, given the £500 million of damage that is caused to the environment per year by th...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing the debate to the chamber. As we have already heard from Christine Grahame, curiosity can be a strange thing, especially ...
Christine Grahame
SNP
Minnigaff.
Finlay Carson
Con
Absolutely—Minnigaff. I cannot call it Newton Stewart. It is definitely Minnigaff. The term INNS—invasive non-native species—is not restricted to plant spec...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Audrey Nicol for lodging her motion and for providing this opportunity to discuss and welcome the Scottish Environment LINK plan. As we have heard,...
The Acting Minister for Climate Action (Alasdair Allan)
SNP
I, too, thank Audrey Nicoll for bringing this fascinating and important debate to the chamber, and I thank members for their speeches. I also thank the organ...
Mark Ruskell
Green
Will the minister acknowledge the critical role of councils in co-ordinating the work and creating partnerships to do that work? Co-ordination is important h...
Alasdair Allan
SNP
I am happy to acknowledge the important work that local authorities do in that area. I would also mention the £2 million for phase 2 of the Scottish invasive...
Christine Grahame
SNP
In the interests of keeping to my time, I did not mention Sitka spruce, but I lived in Galloway 40 years ago when Sitka spruce was being planted hell for lea...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Speak through the chair, please.
Alasdair Allan
SNP
I appreciate the point that Christine Grahame makes, and I will undertake to copy her and others in on the work that is being done on reviewing guidance in t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, minister, and thank you to all members for their co-operation in giving the security and other staff sufficient time to clear the chamber. 13:39 ...