Meeting of the Parliament 30 October 2025
It is not—I accept that. It is not about not getting it right; it is about having all the information at hand early on, so that we can be sure that we are having the right debates and discussions as early in the bill process as possible. The same goes for the rural support plan, which—FYI—we are still waiting for.
The stage 1 report warned that the Government risks eroding trust in the deer management sector. I urge the Government to work to protect that.
I will quickly highlight the letter that the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity sent this morning to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, on grouse moor licensing schemes, which were agreed only recently under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024. The argument is that they are not working as intended. My understanding is that there is absolutely no evidence to support that at this point, and amendments such as those proposed risk potentially further broadening what is already a very broad bill and will require significant debate at stage 2. Although I recognise the minister’s right to do that, I hope that he is prepared to facilitate as much consultation and discussion as he can on that issue.
Although the Scottish Conservatives will support the principles of the bill today, we have some reservations about how it might progress. Our concern is that, without proper partnership, and respect for rural livelihoods and food security, the bill risks being a source of tension rather than collaboration.
14:54