Hansard

The Convener (Finlay Carson) Con

Good morning, and welcome to the 35th meeting of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee in 2025. Before we begin, I ask everyone to ensure that their electr...

The Convener Con

Amendment 321, in the name of Tim Eagle, is grouped with amendments 252, 322, 323, 75, 254 and 255.

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

Good morning. To follow your suggestion, convener, I will try to be brief not only with my notes but also by not speaking very much to others’ amendments. S...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Amendment 75 seeks to set up a venison action plan. We need to better control deer numbers, and the bill seeks to improve deer control. Better control should...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

Amendment 254 would require ministers to introduce a venison action plan that sets out what action Scottish ministers will take to ensure that public bodies ...

The Convener Con

Thank you for that bit of culture—I am just glad that it did not go to a tune. Laughter. It might be a bit early for a song.

The Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Jim Fairlie) SNP

I will get straight into it. We have a lot to get through, so I will be as brief as I possibly can be. On amendments 321 and 252, I fundamentally disagree w...

Rachael Hamilton Con

Will the deer management plan have a specific reference to a review or action plan to address the fact that, since 1990, there is double the amount of deer? ...

Jim Fairlie SNP

I absolutely concur. As we start to develop the deer action plan, venison will be very much part of the process. I have said a number of times in this commit...

The Convener Con

I invite Tim Eagle to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 321.

Tim Eagle Con

I have nothing more to add. I press amendment 321.

The Convener Con

The question is, that amendment 321 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.

The Convener Con

There will be a division. For Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Against Allan, Alasdair (Na ...

The Convener Con

The result of the division is: For 2, Against 7, Abstentions 0. Amendment 321 disagreed to. Amendment 252 not moved. Section 33 agreed to. After section ...

The Convener Con

Amendment 74, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendment 253.

Jim Fairlie SNP

At stage 1, a range of views were expressed by stakeholders, members and the committee, especially about the long-term impact and effectiveness of the propos...

Tim Eagle Con

My amendment 253 would provide for a review to be carried out of the operation and effect of the powers in sections 13, 14, 15 and 16 after five years. I bel...

The Convener Con

As no other members wish to speak, I invite the minister to wind up.

Jim Fairlie SNP

Although amendment 253 is well intentioned, it contains a fundamental flaw. The provisions in the bill will not be commenced in unison—a staggered approach w...

The Convener Con

I suspend the meeting to allow for a changeover of ministers. 09:05 Meeting suspended. 09:07 On resuming—

The Convener Con

Amendment 11, in the name of Mercedes Villalba, is grouped with amendments 13, 78 to 88, 158 to 164, 304, 304A and 304B. Amendments 304A and 304B are direct ...

Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Good morning. I want to start by thanking the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Parliament’s legislation team for their support in drafting these amendments...

The Convener Con

Will the member give way?

Mercedes Villalba Lab

Sure.

The Convener Con

I wonder whether the member appreciates that deer fencing is not selective and that it is equally important for the establishment of new native woodland and ...

Mercedes Villalba Lab

I am happy to agree with the member on that point. As I have said, the amendment seeks to address the risk of displacing the problem instead of its being tac...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I will speak to amendments 78 and 79 on behalf of Ariane Burgess. Amendment 78 would establish a requirement to consult with communities in relation to new ...

Tim Eagle Con

I will touch on some of Mercedes Villalba’s amendments. I am sympathetic to amendment 13, regarding urban areas, but my understanding is that, through the Sc...

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

I will say at the outset that I agree with many of the points of principle behind quite a few of Mercedes Villalba’s amendments in this group, and I am happy...

The Convener Con

I call Mercedes Villalba to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 11.