Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-15400, in the name of Tim Eagle, on reversing the family farm tax. I invite those members who wish to spe...

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a farmer and a former land agent. Those interests are particularly ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon) SNP

I welcome the fact that we are having this debate, and I appreciate Tim Eagle’s contribution and his bringing his personal experience to the chamber. I wan...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I am slightly puzzled by the cabinet secretary’s concern about the ring fence being removed. Surely there is nothing to prevent her from putting that ring fe...

Mairi Gougeon SNP

My point is that we should not be in this position because of decisions that have been taken by the UK Government. The Scottish Government will continue to d...

Mairi Gougeon SNP

I am drawing to a close. The UK Government must acknowledge that its handling of the matter has been a boorach. It should recognise the need to review the c...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I cannot believe the brass neck of the Tories. They trash the economy and leave others to clean up the mess, and then they shamelessly complain. From Liz Tru...

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

What would Rhoda Grant say to my constituent Kenny Campbell, who has just invested over £1 million in a new dairy but is a cancer survivor? If he were to die...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I can give you back your time, Ms Grant.

Rhoda Grant Lab

I would say to Mr Campbell that he needs to put his affairs in order to make sure—Interruption.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Members!

Rhoda Grant Lab

He needs to make sure that, if his son is investing time in the business, he is getting the fruits of his labour. Interruption. If the son is working in the ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Ms Grant, please resume your seat for a second. I say to the members on the Conservative benches that, when a member has the floor, they have the floor and ...

Rhoda Grant Lab

Thank you, Presiding Officer. Let me be clear that very few family farms are worth in excess of several million pounds. Indeed, the latest figures show that...

Rachael Hamilton Con

Will the member take an intervention?

Rhoda Grant Lab

I have already taken an intervention. Farming communities tell us of their concerns that good agricultural land is changing hands at excessive prices for ta...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The member is bringing her remarks to a close.

Rhoda Grant Lab

What is very clear is that none of the tough decisions that have been taken in the budget would have been required at all had it not been for the Conservativ...

Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green

The agricultural property relief changes that were announced in the UK budget have created a lot of concern in rural areas and the farming community. There i...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Beatrice Wishart, who is opening the debate on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, joins us remotely. 15:13

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

Scottish Liberal Democrats will support the motion that is before us today, as well as the Scottish Government’s amendment. The UK Government’s announced ch...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. There is virtually no time in hand, so any interventions should be absorbed in members’ allocated speaking times. 15:17

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am delighted to stand up this afternoon and speak about small family farms, which is a subject that is close to my heart. I remind members of my entry in t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I take this opportunity to remind members that they must speak through the chair at all times. References to “you” are references to me, and I do not think t...

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

I shall try hard to temper my words in order to obey that instruction, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank the Conservatives for bringing this debate to the c...

Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Much of the language in this debate has been intemperate, inaccurate and deliberately inflammatory. The new Tory rural affairs spokesperson stood up in Parli...

Jim Fairlie SNP

On a point of order, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Leonard, please resume your seat. There is a point of order from the minister, Jim Fairlie.

Jim Fairlie SNP

I would like to draw attention to what Mr Leonard said. He made the accusation against me that I did not declare my register of interests. I do not have an i...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you, minister. The matter has been put on the record. Mr Leonard, please resume.