Meeting of the Parliament 29 January 2026 [Draft]
::I thank all those who assisted with the scrutiny of the bill, including Parliament staff who support the committee. I offer a very special thank you to the legislation team, which helped members frame amendments to the bill. I was reminded of the work that that team does when I received emails from them late yesterday evening while we were debating amendments. I also thank all the stakeholders who engaged on it. The bill is wide ranging, so there were many stakeholders involved. It was very hard to keep on top of the correspondence as we neared stage 3, and I apologise to all those to whom I have not responded. Their input was very much appreciated—in fact, not only was it appreciated, it was essential, because MSPs are not specialists on all the issues. We build up our knowledge over time, but we depend on specialists allowing us to use their knowledge and experience in order to do our job well.
As Sarah Boyack said, we face the twin challenges of the climate change and nature emergencies, and we need legislation to help us meet those challenges. She was also clear that the bill is not a quick fix but legislation that needs to be built on for the wellbeing of not only our generation but future generations.
One of the real challenges for the Rural and Islands Committee in scrutinising the bill was that we had a steep learning curve when it came to parts 1 and 2. I remember chatting with the committee after the bill team had given its briefing but before we started our scrutiny, and our surmising that parts 1 and 2 would be straightforward to deal with, but the other parts, with which we were much more familiar, would require amending. That was before we took evidence, and how wrong we were. I guess that the lesson to be learned for the next Parliament is to put proposed legislation to the appropriate committee and not be swayed from doing that.
I also want to thank the minister and the bill team for their constructive assistance with amendments on deer control. As Sarah Boyack said, we have sought to work constructively with stakeholders and with Government to improve the bill.
Mercedes Villalba laid bare the challenges that we face. She spoke about her own work on non-native species, clearly underlining that this bill is not job done but a framework for redoubling our efforts. Those sentiments were echoed by Mark Ruskell.
Beatrice Wishart spoke about her amendments that were aimed at dovetailing this legislation with targets in other legislation. It is incredibly important that all legislation and strategies to protect our environment, nature and the planet work together simultaneously.
Scottish Labour has been constructive. We have worked hard to improve the legislation wherever possible, to try to give voice to the concerns of stakeholders as they brought those to us, and using their knowledge and expertise to frame amendments to the bill. We believe that that inclusive approach leads to better legislation. It garners wider support for the bill and the aims that it seeks to pursue. I am pleased that we will support the bill when it is voted on tonight.