Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 21 January 2026 [Draft]
21 Jan 2026 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Guga Hunt (PE2202)
I agree with what you and Mr Golden have said, convener, but I note in passing that it is our understanding that the Scottish Government does not intend to amend the 1981 act to remove the power to grant licences, so it is not doing anything—it is just allowing things to go ahead. NatureScot has indicated that it is bound by the 1981 act, although I have to say that I do not quite understand that, because I think that it gives it some discretion.I am struck by NatureScot’s determination to allow the guga hunt to proceed while preventing the control of seagulls in my constituency, which is causing huge problems as well as lacerations and injuries to people. However, that is really for NatureScot to explain. Given the number of signatures that the petition has received, I think that the issue needs to be explored further, but that is probably for the next Parliament.Finally, I would note the written submission that we have received from an islander. I am sure that any committee will want to ensure that the voice of the islanders is heard. They are making the case that this is part of their tradition and heritage. They want to be heard, and they are entitled to be heard, but I think that some of them feel a little bit browbeaten by the tone of some of the criticisms that have been made of them. I hope that the debate can be conducted in a civilised and rational way, even if people have very strong emotions about the matter.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
PE2202, which was lodged by Rachel Bigsby, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend section 16 of the Wildlife and Countrysi...
Maurice Golden
Con
The issue warrants further consideration, but, unfortunately, the committee will not be able to give it that consideration at this point in the parliamentary...
The Convener
Con
I am uncomfortable, because the petition raises issues that the committee, in other circumstances, would have been happy to interrogate further. Certainly, w...
Fergus Ewing
Ind
I agree with what you and Mr Golden have said, convener, but I note in passing that it is our understanding that the Scottish Government does not intend to a...
The Convener
Con
I suppose that the one other option that is open to us would be to consider whether this is a petition that we should leave open for the next parliamentary s...
Fergus Ewing
Ind
I suppose that the number of signatories would, in itself, justify taking that somewhat unusual step.
The Convener
Con
I suggest to the clerks that we add this to the list of petitions that we will give further consideration to. We will leave just a handful of petitions open ...
Davy Russell
Lab
Keeping the petition open for the next parliamentary session will allow us to hear evidence from both sides.
The Convener
Con
Yes, it will allow that. Are colleagues agreed that we will defer a final decision on the petition, on the basis that we will add it to the list of petitions...
Fergus Ewing
Ind
We would need to also stress to the signatories of the petition that its not being closed does not mean—
The Convener
Con
Yes, any final recommendation would do that.
Fergus Ewing
Ind
—it is defeat; it is simply a deferral of probable consideration.
The Convener
Con
We will be considering which petitions are likely to be kept open in the committee’s next couple of meetings, so I am content on this occasion to hold the pe...
Fergus Ewing
Ind
The members of the next Parliament, including those of us who are not ourselves culled, can give it consideration.
The Convener
Con
Well, we could have a petition on banning that culling as well.Are colleagues agreed that we will keep the petition open and add it to the small list of peti...