Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 26 March 2025
26 Mar 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I think that the committee was more concerned that constantly changing agricultural tenancies retrospectively could cause problems for the letting of land in future, because it would give landlords no surety that what they agreed with a tenant would be carried forward.
We also talked about the need for sustainable regenerative agriculture to be included. We think that that should be in the bill.
Overall, the bill needs significant changes to make it fit for purpose. Although it is normal for a bill to undergo some adjustments at stages 2 and 3, the changes that are needed in this case appear to be more fundamental. That puts pressure on us, as a committee and as a Parliament, to make sure that we get things right at the amending stages, and that we take the views of experts and stakeholders as we do so.
A majority of the committee supports the general principles of the bill. However, we want the Scottish Government to engage constructively with our recommendations to ensure that the bill can be improved.
15:40In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16892, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. 15:20
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
I think that today is a good day. Spring is upon us, and it is a time of renewed hope and optimism. It is on that note that I am proud to open today’s debate...
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
The majority of people who gave evidence to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee were of the opinion that the bill would not realise the aims that ha...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Always speak through the chair.
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I thank Douglas Lumsden for raising that point. I listened very carefully to the evidence that the committee received and to those concerns. There was broad ...
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I will give way to Rachael Hamilton, as I have already taken an intervention from Douglas Lumsden.
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Does the cabinet secretary believe that there could be a conflict of interest, given that Scottish ministers have to be answerable to decisions made on land ...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
The member raises an important point. I recognise that the Scottish Government is a significant landowner in Scotland, but I do not believe that there is suc...
Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Does the cabinet secretary recognise that, provided that their bank balance is big enough, there is currently nothing to stop someone from buying up all of S...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I thank Mercedes Villalba for raising that point. There are all sorts of issues in relation to that, but I believe that our proposals, which the committee ha...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I am sorry, but I have to make progress. We have to recognise that reform must be carried out in a way that is fair to all parties, is supported by evidence...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Edward Mountain to speak on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. 15:31
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to speak in this debate on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. In accordance with parliamentary rules, I will make a full d...
Mercedes Villalba
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Edward Mountain
Con
I will if I have time, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is time, but it is very limited.
Mercedes Villalba
Lab
Is it fair to say that those who opposed part 1 tended to be representatives of those who own large amounts of land in Scotland?
Edward Mountain
Con
That is not entirely true. Some of the people who opposed part 1 were people who manage land holdings across Scotland, whether in the private or public secto...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Will Edward Mountain give way briefly?
Edward Mountain
Con
I think that I am short of time, but I would like to give way.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is a limited bit of time in hand.
Fergus Ewing
SNP
The bill proposes legal measures that would, I gather, be applied retrospectively. Is the committee at all concerned that that might contravene the European ...
Edward Mountain
Con
I think that the committee was more concerned that constantly changing agricultural tenancies retrospectively could cause problems for the letting of land in...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a small farmer. I also have a couple of short limited duration ten...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Tim Eagle
Con
Go for it.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Although it was not lacking in courtesy, I note that that language was a bit relaxed.