All meetings of the committee

This is all meetings of Rural Affairs and Islands Committee held in 2025. On meeting pages you can find agendas, meeting papers, minutes, and links to Official Reports and Scottish Parliament TV.

36th Meeting

17 December

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• Debbie Kessell
  Policy Manager
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill (in private)

35th Meeting

10 December

1. Work programme (in private)
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

34th Meeting

03 December

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Ashley Cooke
  Deputy Director for Food and Drink
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• Tracy McCollin
  Head of Good Food Nation Team
  Scottish Government
• Lisa Nowak
  Policy Officer, Good Food Nation Team
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

33rd Meeting

26 November

1. Work programme (in private)
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• John Armour
  Branch Head, Livestock Production Policy
  Scottish Government
• Emily Williams Boylston
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Paul Neison
  Head of Mapping and Land Services
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Michelle Colquhoun
  Head of Livestock Products Policy
  Scottish Government
• Mairead McCrossan
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
5. Subordinate legislation
6. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

32nd Meeting

19 November

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
2. Work programme (in private)

31st Meeting

12 November

1. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Bill Barron
  Crofting Bill Team Advisor
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• Michael Nugent
  Bill Team Leader, Head of Crofting Policy
  Scottish Government
and then from:
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Martin Brown
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Marion McCormack
  Civil Courts, Justice Transformation and Inquiries
  Scottish Government
2. Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Mark Ruskell
  Member in charge of the Bill
  Scottish Parliament
• Liz Anderson
  Assistant Clerk, Non-Government Bills Unit
  Scottish Parliament
• Alison Fraser
  Solicitor, Legal Services
  Scottish Parliament
• Nick Hawthorne
  Senior Clerk, Non-Government Bills Unit
  Scottish Parliament
3. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill (in private)
4. Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill (in private)

30th Meeting

05 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
Show witnesses
• Alison Irving
  Principal Clerk
  Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland
3. Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
• Keith White
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
4. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill
5. Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill

29th Meeting

29 October

1. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
Show witnesses
• Dr Josh Doble
  Director of Policy and Advocacy
  Community Land Scotland
• Sandra Holmes
  Head of Community Assets
  Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• James MacKessack-Leitch
  Policy and Practice Lead
  Scottish Land Commission
• Jackie McCreery
  Legal Adviser
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Rhianna Montgomery
  Rural Business Policy Manager
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Anne Murray
  Chief Officer, Economic and Community Regeneration
  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
• Donna Smith
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Crofting Federation
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill (in private)
4. Work programme (in private)

28th Meeting

08 October

1. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
Show witnesses
• Stephen Cranston
  Member of sub-committee on Rural Affairs
  Law Society of Scotland
• Brian Inkster
  Chief Executive
  Inksters Solicitors
• Chris Kerr
  Director of Policy and Corporate Services and Accountable Officer
  Registers of Scotland
• Katie MacKay
  Director
  FMS Law
• Eilidh Ross
  Crofting Law Specialist
  Camus Consulting
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill (in private)

27th Meeting

01 October

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Calum Duncan
  Convener, Marine Group
  Scottish Environment LINK
• Professor James Harrison
  Professor of Environmental Law
  University of Edinburgh
• Phil Taylor
  Director
  Open Seas
• Caitlin Turner
  Youth Trustee
  Young Sea Changers Scotland
and then from:
• David Anderson
  Chief Executive
  Aberdeen Fish Producers Organisation
• Kenny Coull
  Fisheries Policy Officer
  Scottish White Fish Producers Association Ltd
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Keith Whyte
  Rural and Maritime Industry Support Executive
  Aberdeenshire Council
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy
  Scottish Government
• Charlotte Altass
  Offshore Marine Protected Areas Policy Manager
  Scottish Government
• John Mouat
  Head of Protected Seas
  Scottish Government
• Conor Nangle
  Offshore Marine Protected Areas Delivery Lead
  Scottish Government
5. Subordinate legislation

26th Meeting

24 September

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Darren Cormack
  Policy Manager Livestock Products
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• Joe Kirk
  Poultry Unit Branch Head
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
Show witnesses
• Gary Campbell
  Chief Executive
  Crofting Commission
• Andrew Thin
  Chair
  Crofting Commission
4. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill (in private)

25th Meeting

17 September

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

24th Meeting

10 September

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

23rd Meeting

03 September

1. Declaration of interests
2. Decision on taking business in private
3. National good food nation plan
Show witnesses
• Adam Forrest
  Scotland Manager
  Nature Friendly Farming Network
• Lisa Hislop-Smith
  Supply Chain Policy Manager
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Dennis Overton
  Chair
  Scottish Food Commission
• Dr Gillian Purdon
  Head of Public Health Nutrition
  Food Standards Scotland
• Jason Rose
  Chief Executive
  OneKind
• Vicki Swales
  Head of Land use Policy, RSPB
  Scottish Food Coalition
• David Thomson
  Chief Executive
  Food and Drink Federation Scotland
4. National good food nation plan

22nd Meeting

25 June

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)
2. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill (in private)

21st Meeting

18 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
3. EU-UK co-operation agreement
Show witnesses
• Jimmy Buchan
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Seafood Association
• Jonnie Hall
  Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Jennifer Howie
  UK Frameworks and Inter-Governmental Relations Lead
  Food Standards Scotland
• Patrick Hughes
  Strategic Services Director
  Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society
• Stephen Kenyon
  Chairman, Harbro Ltd
  Agricultural Industries Confederation Scotland
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• James Park
  Head of Insights
  Salmon Scotland
• David Thomson
  Chief Executive
  Food and Drink Federation Scotland
• Scott Walker
  Executive Manager, Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers and Chief Executive, GB Potatoes
• Adam Wing
  Head Of Trade Marketing, UK, Middle East and Asia
  Seafood Scotland
4. EU-UK co-operation agreement
5. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

20th Meeting

11 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Brittany Brown
  Policy Lead
  Scottish Government
• Jenny Gibbons
  Team Leader, National Parks
  Scottish Government
• Felicity Hollands
  Deputy Bill Team Leader
  Scottish Government
• Hazel Reilly
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
3. Galloway and Ayrshire national park proposal
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Brittany Brown
  Policy Lead
  Scottish Government
• Jenny Gibbons
  Team Leader, National Parks
  Scottish Government
4. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
5. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)
6. Work programme (in private)

19th Meeting

04 June

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Head of Nature Division Bill Unit
  Scottish Government
• Lisa McCann
  Head of Biodiversity Unit
  Scottish Government
• Joan McHutchison
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
and then from:
• Gillian Martin
  Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy
  Scottish Government
• Stewart Cunningham
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Head of Nature Division Bill Unit
  Scottish Government
• Joanne Napier
  Senior Policy Officer, Offshore Energy
  Scottish Government
and then from:
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Head of Nature Division Bill Unit
  Scottish Government
• Hazel Reilly
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Brodie Wilson
  Policy Manager, Wildlife Management Team
  Scottish Government
• Sam Turner
  Team Leader, Wildlife Management Team
  Scottish Government
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

18th Meeting

28 May

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Ivan McKee
  Minister for Public Finance
  Scottish Government
• Joseph Triscott
  Aquaculture Development Policy Lead
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Annie Breaden
  Director of Corporate Operations
  Crown Estate Scotland
• Brendan Callaghan
  Director of Operational Delivery
  Scottish Forestry
• Alex Flucker
  Chief Operating Officer, Data, Evidence, and Innovation
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Dr Katherine Leys
  Head of Biodiversity and Geodiversity
  NatureScot
• Dr Chris Tuckett
  Chief Officer for Strategy and Impact
  Joint Nature Conservation Committee
and then from:
• Alan Hunt
  Head of Policy Analysis and Horizon Scanning
  Environmental Standards Scotland
• Neil Langhorn
  Head of Strategy and Analysis
  Environmental Standards Scotland
4. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

17th Meeting

21 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Jacqueline Cook
  Planning and Development Committee Vice Chair
  Scottish Property Federation
• Sarah Cowie
  Senior Policy Manager Climate, Land and Business
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Emily Johns
  Nature Strategy Manager
  SSEN Transmission
• Stuart Goodall
  Chief Executive
  Confor
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Dr Caroline McParland
  Vice President for Scotland
  Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• Jenny Munro
  Policy and Practice Officer
  Royal Town Planning Institute
• Stephen Young
  Director of Policy
  Scottish Land and Estates
3. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Maurice Golden
  Member in Charge of the Bill
  Scottish Parliament
• Ezgi Denli
  Solicitor, Legal Services
  Scottish Parliament
• Neil Stewart
  Senior Clerk, Non-Government Bills Unit
  Scottish Parliament
4. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill (in private)
5. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)
6. Annual report

16th Meeting

14 May

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Rea Cris
  Public Affairs Manager
  Open Seas
• Calum Duncan
  Head of Policy and Advocacy
  Marine Conservation Society
• Dr Nick Hesford
  Interim Director, Scotland
  Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Dan Paris
  Director of Policy and Engagement
  Scottish Environment LINK
• Nikki Sinclair
   Green Belts Alliance Manager/National Parks Strategy Project Manager
  Action to Protect Rural Scotland
• Ailis Watt
  Senior Land Use Policy Officer
  RSPB Scotland
• Bruce Wilson
  Head of Policy and Advocacy
  Scottish Wildlife Trust
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Dr Iain Berrill
  Head of Technical
  Salmon Scotland
• Sean Black
  Senior Scientific Officer for Aquaculture
  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Mike Spain
  Director of Aquaculture
  Crown Estate Scotland
• Professor Paul Tett
  Reader in Coastal Ecosystems
  Scottish Association for Marine Science
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

15th Meeting

07 May

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Professor Rob Brooker
  Head of Ecological Sciences
  The James Hutton Institute
• Professor James Harrison
  Professor of Environmental Law
  University of Edinburgh
• Professor Davy McCracken
  Head of Department and Head of Research Centre
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Professor Kirsty Park
  Head of Biological & Environmental Sciences
  University of Stirling
• Professor Beth Scott
  Professor of Marine Ecology
  University of Aberdeen
• Jamie Whittle
  Convener, Environmental Law Sub-committee
  Law Society of Scotland
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

14th Meeting

30 April

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Donald Fraser
  Head of Wildlife Management
  NatureScot
• Robbie Kernahan
  Director of Green Economy
  NatureScot
and then from:
• Peter Clark
  Scotland Director
  British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• David Fleetwood
  Director of Policy
  John Muir Trust
• Alan McDonnell
  Head of Nature Restoration
  Trees for Life
• Grant Moir
  Chief Executive Officer
  Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Duncan Orr-Ewing
  Head of Species and Land Management, RSPB Scotland
  LINK Deer Group
• Dick Playfair
  Secretary
  Scottish Venison Association
• Graeme Prest
  Director of Land Management and Regions
  Forestry and Land Scotland
• Tom Turnbull
  Chairman
  Association of Deer Management Groups
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

13th Meeting

23 April

1. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill
2. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill (in private)

12th Meeting

02 April

1. Declaration of interests
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Mark Lodge
  Senior Planning and Strategies Officer
  Argyll & Bute Council
• Grant Moir
  Chief Executive Officer
  Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Gordon Watson
  Chief Executive Officer
  Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority
3. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)

11th Meeting

26 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Chief Inspector Michael Booker
  Police Scotland
• Dr Paula Boyden
  Veterinary Director
  Dogs Trust
• Laura Buchan
  Procurator Fiscal for Policy and Engagement
  Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Gilly Mendes-Ferreira
  Director of Strategic Communications & Partnership Engagement
  Scottish SPCA
• Mike Moore
  Policy and Campaigns Manager (Scotland)
  Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
• Stuart Munro
  Convener of the Criminal Law Committee
  Law Society of Scotland
3. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill
4. Work programme (in private)

10th Meeting

19 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Mandy Callaghan
  Deputy Director, Agriculture and Land Transition
  Scottish Government
• Nick Downes
  Deputy Director, Chief Digital and Data Office for Agriculture and the Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Mandy Callaghan
  Deputy Director, Agriculture and Land Transition
  Scottish Government
• Nick Downes
  Deputy Director, Chief Digital and Data Office for Agriculture and the Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
5. A climate transition for Scottish agriculture
Show witnesses
• Dr Vera Eory
  Reader
  Scotland’s Rural College
• David McKay
  Co-Director
  Soil Association Scotland
• Professor Dave Reay
  University of Edinburgh
• Dr Mike Robinson
  Chief Executive
  Royal Scottish Geographical Society
6. Future agriculture policy
7. Climate transition for Scottish agriculture

9th Meeting

12 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. A climate transition for Scottish agriculture
Show witnesses
• Jonnie Hall
  Deputy CEO and Director of Policy
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Pete Ritchie
  Director
  Nourish Scotland
• Kate Rowell
  Chair
  Quality Meat Scotland
• Jim Walker
  Chair
  Suckler Beef Climate Group Programme Board
• Neil Wilson
  Chair
  Food and Agriculture Stakeholders Taskforce
3. A climate transition for Scottish agriculture
4. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

8th Meeting

05 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Dr Jack Bloodworth
  Principal Science Adviser, Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Division
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Head of Nature Division Bill Unit
  Scottish Government
• Lisa McCann
  Head of Biodiversity Unit
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor, Marine, Planning and Natural Resources Division
  Scottish Government
• Joanne Napier
  Senior Policy Officer, Offshore Energy Environmental Legislative Reform Unit
  Scottish Government
and then from:
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Head of Nature Division Bill Unit
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor, Marine, Planning and Natural Resources Division
  Scottish Government
3. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
4. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

7th Meeting

26 February

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Scottish Human Rights Commission’s report - Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Highlands and Islands
Show witnesses
• Professor Angela O'Hagan
  Chair
  Scottish Human Rights Commission
• Dr Luis F Yanes
  Highlands and Islands Project Lead
  Scottish Human Rights Commission
3. Scottish Human Rights Commission’s report - Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Highlands and Islands
4. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill

6th Meeting

19 February

1. Declaration of interests
2. Decision on taking business in private
3. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Crawley
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• James Muldoon
  Head of Agriculture Support Policy Development Unit
  Scottish Government
• Amanda Callaghan
  Deputy Director Agriculture and Land Transition
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Crawley
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• James Muldoon
  Head of Agriculture Support Policy Development Unit
  Scottish Government
• Iain Carmichael
  Head of Agricultural Development
  Scottish Government
5. Subordinate legislation
6. Subordinate legislation
7. Future agriculture policy

5th Meeting

05 February

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement Programme
Show witnesses
• Stuart Bell
  Senior Policy Manager
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Helen Downie
  Senior Policy Manager
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Dr Coby Needle
  Chief Fisheries Advisor for Scotland
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Jim Watson
  Head of Domestic Fisheries Management
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
3. Inshore Fisheries Management Improvement Programme
4. Work programme (in private)

4th Meeting

29 January

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Deer working group report
Show witnesses
• Malcolm Combe
  external advisor to the Deer Working Group
• Richard Cooke
  Chair
  Scottish Venison Association
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• David Fleetwood
  Director of Policy
  John Muir Trust
• Donald Fraser
  Head of Wildlife Management
  NatureScot
• Lea MacNally
  Deer Group Member
  Scottish Gamekeepers Association
• Duncan Orr-Ewing
  Head of Species and Land Management, RSPB Scotland
  LINK Deer Group
• Graeme Prest
  Director of Land Management and Regions
  Forestry and Land Scotland
• Tom Turnbull
  Chairman
  Association of Deer Management Groups
3. Deer working group report

3rd Meeting

22 January

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Dr John Armstrong
  Science Evidence, Data and Digital
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Dr Antje Branding
  Marine Environment
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Dr Stuart Middlemas
  Science Evidence, Data and Digital
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Budget 2025 to 2026
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Helen Carter
  Joint Head of Finance, Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
  Scottish Government
• Iain Wallace
  Director of Marine
  Scottish Government

2nd Meeting

15 January

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Forestry and woodland management in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Brendan Callaghan
  Director of Operational Delivery
  Scottish Forestry
• Stuart Goodall
  Chief Executive Officer
  Confor
• Sarah Madden
  Policy Advocate, Forestry and Land Use
  Woodland Trust Scotland
• Dr Ruth Mitchell
  Biodiversity and Ecosystems group leader
  The James Hutton Institute
• Graeme Prest
  Director of Land Management and Regions
  Forestry and Land Scotland
• David Robertson
  Investment and Business Development Director
  Scottish Woodlands
• Andy Rockall
  Director
  Community Woodlands Association
• Professor Ian Wall
  Chair, Public Financial Support for Tree-Planting and Forestry inquiry
  Royal Society of Edinburgh
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)
5. Forestry and woodland management in Scotland

1st Meeting

08 January

1. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)

This is all meetings of Rural Affairs and Islands Committee held in 2024. On meeting pages you can find agendas, meeting papers, minutes, and links to Official Reports and Scottish Parliament TV.

31st Meeting

18 December

1. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland

30th Meeting

11 December

1. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)
2. Work programme (in private)

29th Meeting

20 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• John Armour
  Branch Head, Livestock Production Policy
  Scottish Government
• Lewis Kerr
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• Brian Service
  Agricultural Reform Programme Lead for Cross Compliance
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Amendment to the Joint Fisheries Statement
5. Petition PE1758 End greyhound racing In Scotland

28th Meeting

13 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Charles Allan
  Senior Delivery Lead, Aquaculture, Fish Health and Biosecurity
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Jill Barber
  Senior Delivery Lead, Aquaculture Programme
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
• Hazel Bartels
  Senior Delivery Lead, Aquaculture Programme
  Marine Directorate, Scottish Government
3. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)

27th Meeting

06 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Amendment to the Joint Fisheries Statement
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Jane Macpherson
  Head of Fisheries Management Strategy
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Amendment to the Joint Fisheries Statement

26th Meeting

30 October

1. Declaration of interests
2. Decision on taking business in private
3. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Darren Cormack
  Food and Drink, Livestock Products Policy Manager
  Scottish Government
• Judith Brown
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025 to 2026

25th Meeting

09 October

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• James Muldoon
  Head of Agriculture Support Policy Development Unit
  Scottish Government
• Lewis Kerr
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation

24th Meeting

02 October

1. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Dr Ralph Bickerdike
  Head of Fish Health
  Scottish Sea Farms
• David Brown
  Shetland Seawater Manager
  Cooke Scotland
• Ben Hadfield
  Chief Operating Officer Farming Scotland, Ireland, Faroes and Atlantic Canada
  Mowi Scotland
• Kimberley McKinnell
  Head of Health
  Bakkafrost Scotland
• Constance Pattillo
  Head of Farming Operations
  Wester Ross Salmon
• Tavish Scott
  Chief Executive
  Salmon Scotland
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)
4. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (in private)

23rd Meeting

25 September

1. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025 to 2026
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Nuala Gormley
  Deputy Director, Marine Science, Evidence, Data and Digital
  Scottish Government
• Rebecca Hackett
  Deputy Director and Portfolio Lead, Corporate, Strategy
  Scottish Government
• Karen Morley
  Head of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Brendan Callaghan
  Director of Operational Delivery, Scottish Forestry
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• John Speirs
  Senior Policy Advisor, SASA Policy and Pesticide Survey Unit
  Scottish Government
• David Corrigall
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• James Muldoon
  Head of Agriculture Support Policy Development unit
  Scottish Government
• Lewis Kerr
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
5. Subordinate legislation
6. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Jesus Gallego
  Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer
  Scottish Government
• Keith White
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
7. Subordinate legislation
8. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (in private)
9. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)

22nd Meeting

18 September

1. Subordinate legislation
2. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Mark Harvey
  Planning Team Leader
  Highland Council
• Ronan O'Hara
  Chief Executive
  Crown Estate Scotland
• Dr Rachel Shucksmith
  Marine Spatial Planning Manager
  University of the Highlands and Islands
3. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill
4. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)

21st Meeting

11 September

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Rural Affairs and Islands remit
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Donald Henderson
  Deputy Director, Nature Division
  Scottish Government
• Iain Wallace
  Head of Operations Portfolio, Marine Directorate
  Scottish Government
• Malcolm Pentland
  Deputy Director, Lead for Marine Economy and Communities
  Scottish Government
3. Rural Affairs and Islands remit

20th Meeting

04 September

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025 to 2026
Show witnesses
• Dr Robin Cook
  Honorary Senior Research Fellow
  Strathclyde University
• Alastair Hamilton
  Chair of the NW Coast
  Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups Network
• Professor Michel Kaiser
  Member
  Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Charles Millar
  Executive Director
  Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust
• Professor Colin Moffat
  former Chief Scientific Advisor Marine to the Scottish Government
• Phil Taylor
  Director
  Open Seas
• Dr Alan Wells
  Chief Executive
  Fisheries Management Scotland
• Elaine Whyte
  Executive Secretary
  Clyde Fishermen’s Association
3. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025 to 2026

19th Meeting

26 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• John Goodlad
  Chair
  Salmon Interactions Working Group
and then from:
• Dr Alan Wells
  Chief Executive
  Fisheries Management Scotland
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)
5. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland

18th Meeting

19 June

1. Declaration of interests
2. Decision on taking business in private
3. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Professor Nick Owens
  SSAC Member
  Scottish Science Advisory Council
• Christine Lawson
  Head of SSAC Secretariat
  Scottish Science Advisory Council
and then from:
• Lin Bunten
  Chief Operating Officer, Regulation, Business and Environment
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Mike Montague
  Aquaculture Specialist
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
4. UK subordinate legislation
5. Pre-budget scrutiny 2025 to 2026
6. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)

17th Meeting

12 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Charles Allan
  Group Leader, Fish Health Inspectorate
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Follow-up inquiry into salmon in Scotland
5. Follow up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (in private)

16th Meeting

05 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• John Aitchison
  Aquaculture Group
  Coastal Communities Network
• Sean Black
  Senior Scientific Officer for Aquaculture
  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Sarah Evans
  Aquaculture Policy Officer
  Marine Conservation Society
• Rachel Mulrenan
  Scotland Director
  WildFish
and then from:
• Dr Annette Boerlage
  Research Fellow in Aquatic Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Professor Simon MacKenzie
  Head of the Institute of Aquaculture
  University of Stirling
• Professor Sam Martin
  Director of Research, School of Biological Sciences
  University of Aberdeen
• Dr Helena Reinardy
  Lecturer and Teaching Fellow
  Scottish Association for Marine Science
• Professor Lynne Sneddon
  Chair in Zoophysiology, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
  University of Gothenburg
3. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland

15th Meeting

29 May

1. Petition PE1490: Control of wild goose numbers (in private)
2. Annual report 2023 to 2024 (in private)

14th Meeting

22 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Jim Fairlie
  Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
3. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland

13th Meeting

15 May

1. UK subordinate legislation
2. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
3. Declaration of interests

12th Meeting

08 May

1. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill

11th Meeting

01 May

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Ellen Huis
  Head of Inshore Modernisation
  Scottish Government
• Jane Macpherson
  Senior Delivery Lead for Fisheries Management Strategy
  Scottish Government
• Neil MacLeod
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
4. UK subordinate legislation

10th Meeting

24 April

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Ian Gatt
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Helen McLachlan
  Head of Marine Policy, RSPB Scotland
  Future Fisheries Alliance
• Joe Whitelegg
  Fisheries Control and Enforcement Manager
  Isle of Man Fisheries
2. Work programme (in private)

9th Meeting

20 March

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• John Speirs
  Senior Policy Advisor, SASA Policy and Pesticide Survey Unit
  Scottish Government
• Emily Williams Boylston
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Daniel Alcorn
  registered owners, trainers, and breeders, Greyhound Board of Great Britain
• Michael Connolly
  registered owners, trainers, and breeders, Greyhound Board of Great Britain
• George Stark
  registered owners, trainers, and breeders, Greyhound Board of Great Britain
4. Work programme (in private)

8th Meeting

13 March

1. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill (in private)

7th Meeting

06 March

1. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill (in private)

6th Meeting

28 February

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Lisa Nowak
  Policy Officer, Good Food Nation Team
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Allan Gibb
  Chief Negotiator for International Fisheries
  Scottish Government
• Dr Coby Needle
  Chief Fisheries Advisor for Scotland
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Subordinate legislation
6. UK subordinate legislation
7. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

5th Meeting

21 February

1. Declaration of interests
2. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Andy Crawley
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• John Kerr
  Head of Agriculture Policy
  Scottish Government
• Ewen Scott
  Agriculture and Rural Communities Bill Team Leader
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. UK subordinate legislation
5. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

4th Meeting

07 February

1. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

3rd Meeting

31 January

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Douglas Bell
  Managing Director
  Scottish Tenant Farmers Association
• Rob Clarke
  Head of Policy
  Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• John McCulloch
  Agri and Rural Affairs Committee Chair
  Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs
• Grant Moir
  Chief Executive Officer
  Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Jeremy Moody
  Secretary and Adviser
  Central Association of Agricultural Valuers Scotland
• Theona Morrison
  Chair
  Scottish Rural Action
• Professor Sarah Skerratt
  Chief Executive
  Royal Society of Edinburgh
• Steven Thomson
  Professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy
  Scotland’s Rural College
3. Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work
  Scottish Government
• Grant McLarty
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
4. Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill (UK Parliament legislation)

2nd Meeting

24 January

1. Scottish Government documents for approval
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work
  Scottish Government
• Grant McLarty
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
2. Scottish Government documents for approval
3. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy, Just Transition and Fair Work
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
• Grant McLarty
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation

1st Meeting

17 January

1. Budget 2024 - 2025
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Erica Clarkson
  Head of Islands Policy
  Scottish Government
• Karen Morley
  Head of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• David Signorini
  Director of Marine
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation

This is all meetings of Rural Affairs and Islands Committee held in 2023. On meeting pages you can find agendas, meeting papers, minutes, and links to Official Reports and Scottish Parliament TV.

34th Meeting

20 December

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Stuart Goodall
  Chief Executive
  Confor
• David Harley
  Chief Officer, Circular Economy
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Eleanor Kay
  Senior Policy Adviser
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Ross Lilley
  Head of Natural Resource Management
  NatureScot
• Ross MacLeod
  Head of Policy Scotland
  Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Professor Davy McCracken
  Head of Integrated Land Management Department
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Professor Dave Reay
  Executive Director
  Edinburgh Climate Change Institute
• Euan Ross
  Scotland Manager
  Nature Friendly Farming Network
• Alastair Seaman
  Director for Scotland
  Woodland Trust Scotland
• Vicki Swales
  Head of Land Use Policy
  RSPB Scotland
• Kirsty Tait
  Director for Scotland
  Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Scotland
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Common frameworks

33rd Meeting

13 December

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Kevin Matheson
  Policy Manager, Food and Drink Industry Growth Team
  Scottish Government
• Judith Brown
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Tim Bailey
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society
• Jonnie Hall
  Director of Policy
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Joe Hind
  Policy Manager
  Scotland Food & Drink
• Professor Jennie Macdiarmid
  Director, Interdisciplinary Centre for Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition
  Rowett Institute
• Sarah Millar
  Chief Executive
  Quality Meat Scotland
• Lesley Mitchell
  Policy Director
  Sustainable Food Trust
• Pete Ritchie
  Director
  Nourish Scotland
• David Thomson
  Chief Executive
  Food and Drink Federation Scotland

32nd Meeting

06 December

1. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Dr Liz Barron-Majerik
  Scotland Director
  Lantra Scotland
• Dr Lorna Cole
  Senior Consultant
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Professor Cathy Dwyer
  Chair
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Dr Vera Eory
  Researcher
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Kirsty Jenkins
  Policy Officer
  OneKind
• Donald MacKinnon
  Chair
  Scottish Crofting Federation
• David McKay
  Head of Policy Scotland
  Soil Association
• Nigel Miller
  Co-Chair
  Farming for 1.5
• Ross Paton
  Chair
  Scottish Organic Stakeholders Group
• Dr Tara Wight
  Scotland Policy and Campaigns Coordinator
  Landworkers’ Alliance
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill (in private)

31st Meeting

29 November

1. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Andrew Crawley
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• John Kerr
  Head of Agriculture Policy
  Scottish Government
• James Muldoon
  Head of Agriculture Support Policy Development
  Scottish Government
• Ewen Scott
  Bill Lead
  Scottish Government

30th Meeting

22 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Michelle Colquhoun
  Head of Livestock Products Policy
  Scottish Government
• Mairead Mccrossan
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Christine Grahame MSP
  Member in Charge of the Bill
• Roz Thomson
  Clerk Team Leader, Non-Government Bills Unit
  Scottish Parliament
• Claudia Bennett
  Solicitor
  Scottish Parliament
5. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• Clarinda Burrell
  Tree Health Policy Implementation Officer, Scottish Forestry
  Scottish Government
• David Corrigall
  Solictor
  Scottish Government
6. Subordinate legislation
7. Subordinate legislation
8. UK subordinate legislation
9. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

29th Meeting

15 November

1. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)
2. Future agriculture policy (in private)

28th Meeting

08 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Chris Brown
  Sustainable Business Director
  ASDA
• Sophie Throup
  Technical and Sustainability Director, Manufacturing
  Morrisons
3. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Libby Anderson
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC)
• Bob Elliot
  Director
  OneKind
• Glynn Evans
  Head of Game and Wildlife Management
  British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Jessica Findlay
  Moorland Licensing Project Manager
  NatureScot
• Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn
  Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)
• Conor Kelly
  Gamekeeper
  Scottish Gamekeepers Association
• Ross MacLeod
  Head of Policy (Scotland)
  Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Penny Middleton
  Policy Manager
  National Farmers Union Scotland
and then from:
• Iain Batho
  Head of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit
  Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Susan Davies
  Review Lead
  Independent Taskforce on SSPCA Powers
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn
  Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)
• Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly
  National Wildlife Crime Unit
• Detective Sergeant David Lynn
  National Wildlife Crime Coordinator
  Police Scotland
• Ian Thomson
  Head of Investigations
  RSPB Scotland

27th Meeting

01 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy and the Environment
  Scottish Government
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
3. Pre-Budget Scrutiny
4. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill

26th Meeting

25 October

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy and the Environment
  Scottish Government
• Stewart Forsyth
  Animal Health and Welfare Policy Advisor
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
3. Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
4. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)

25th Meeting

04 October

1. UK subordinate legislation
2. Regulatory alignment with EU law
3. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)

24th Meeting

27 September

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Interim Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
  Scottish Government
• Erica Clarkson
  Islands Lead
  Scottish Government
• Rebecca Hackett
  Deputy Director, Corporate and Strategy, Marine Directorate
  Scottish Government
• Craig Stewart
  Head of Agriculture and Rural Economy Financial Management and Controls
  Scottish Government
3. EU common agriculture policy reform

23rd Meeting

20 September

1. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Libby Anderson
  Member
  UK Centre for Animal Law Scottish Committee
• Ben Parker
  Public Affairs Manager
  Battersea
• Claire Calder
  Head of Public Affairs
  Dogs Trust
• Holly Conway
  Public Affairs Manager
  The Kennel Club
• Robbie Forbes
  Policy Executive
  The Law Society of Scotland
• Gilly Mendes-Ferreira
  Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations
  Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
2. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)

22nd Meeting

13 September

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Brodie Wilson
  Policy Manager, Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Brodie Wilson
  Policy Manager, Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Subordinate legislation
6. Bracken control
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• Jack Bloodworth
  Principal Science Advisor, Rural & Environmental Science and Analytical Services Division
  Scottish Government
• Jackie Hughes
  Deputy Director Agriculture and Rural Economy and Head of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture
  Scottish Government
• Romy Strachan
  Policy Officer
  Scottish Government
7. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)

21st Meeting

06 September

1. Declaration of interests
2. Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

20th Meeting

28 June

1. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy and the Environment
  Scottish Government
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Gillian Martin
  Minister for Energy and the Environment
  Scottish Government
• Emily Williams Boylston
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Caspian Richards
  Head of Policy and Pesticide Survey Unit, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. UK subordinate legislation
5. UK subordinate legislation
6. Work programme (in private)

19th Meeting

21 June

1. Work programme (in private)
2. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Robbie Kernahan
  Director of Green Economy
  NatureScot
• Dr Marnie Lovejoy
  Head of Evidence and Environmental Law
  British Association for Shooting and Conservation
• Detective Sergeant David Lynn
  National Wildlife Crime Coordinator
  Police Scotland
• Ross MacLeod
  Head of Policy (Scotland)
  Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Ashley McCann
  Legal Advisor
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Ian Thomson
  Head of Investigations
  RSPB Scotland
• Jamie Whittle
  Committee Member, Rural Affairs Sub-committee
  Law Society of Scotland
• Max Wiszniewski
  Campaign Manager
  Revive
and then from:
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson
  Head of Training and Wildfire Capability Lead
  Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Dr Miranda Geelhoed
  Policy Coordinator
  Scottish Crofting Federation
• Dr Nick Hesford
  Scottish Adviser
  Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Dr Emma Hinchliffe
  Director
  IUCN UK Peatland Programme
• Robbie Kernahan
  Director of Green Economy
  NatureScot
• Duncan Orr-Ewing
  Head of Species and Land Management
  RSPB Scotland
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)

18th Meeting

14 June

1. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Professor Alan Werritty
  Chair
  Grouse Moor Management Review Group
• Professor Ian Newton
  Member
  Grouse Moor Management Review Group
• Professor Colin Reid
  Member
  Grouse Moor Management Review Group
and then from:
• Libby Anderson
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Ian Andrew
  Chief Executive Officer
  British Pest Control Association
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn
  Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Alex Hogg
  Chairman
  Scottish Gamekeepers Association
• Liz McLachlan
  Licensing Manager, Wildlife Management Team
  NatureScot
2. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (in private)
3. Work programme (in private)

17th Meeting

31 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Rural Affairs and Islands remit
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Annabel Turpie
  Director of Marine Scotland
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Alastair Douglas
  Head of Disease Control branch, Animal Health and Welfare Division
  Scottish Government
• Keith White
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Subordinate legislation
6. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Norman Munro
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Sam Turner
  Team Leader, Wildlife Management Team
  Scottish Government
7. Rural Affairs and Islands remit
8. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

16th Meeting

24 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Cameron Anson
  Repopulation and Island Communities Policy Manager
  Scottish Government
• Erica Clarkson
  Head of Islands Policy
  Scottish Government
• Nicola Crook
  National Islands Plan Team Leader
  Scottish Government
• Professor Francesco Sindico
  Carbon Neutral Islands Team Leader
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Annual Report 2022-23
5. National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022
6. Work programme (in private)

15th Meeting

17 May

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Sheila Voas
  Chief Veterinary Officer
  Scottish Government
• Louise Cameron
  Policy Officer, Disease Control Branch
  Scottish Government

14th Meeting

10 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Salmon farming in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Jill Barber
  Head of Aquaculture Development
  Scottish Government
• Malcolm Pentland
  Deputy Director, Lead for Marine Economy and Communities
  Scottish Government
4. Salmon farming in Scotland

13th Meeting

03 May

1. Declaration of interests
2. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Claire Calder
  Head of Public Affairs
  Dogs Trust
• Sam Gaines
  Head of Companion Animals
  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
• Gilly Mendes-Ferreira
  Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations
  Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
3. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland (in private)
4. Future agriculture policy (in private)

12th Meeting

26 April

1. Declaration of interests
2. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Paul Flanagan
  Stakeholder Engagement Director
  Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board
• Joe Hind
  Policy Manager
  Scotland Food & Drink
• Kate Rowell
  Chair
  Quality Meat Scotland
3. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Paul Brignal
  Owner and Director
  Thornton Greyhounds
• Mark Bird
  Chief Executive Officer
  Greyhound Board of Great Britain
• Madeleine Campbell
  Independent Director
  Greyhound Board of Great Britain
4. UK subordinate legislation
5. Future agriculture policy (in private)
6. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland (in private)

11th Meeting

19 April

1. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Professor Tim Benton
  Director Environment and Society Programme
  Chatham House
• Ian Boyd-Livingston
  Deputy Director, Soils and Sustainability
  Stockfree Farming
• David Harley
  Chief Officer Circular Economy
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Professor Pete Smith
  Chair in Plant and Soil Science
  University of Aberdeen
• Morgan Vaughan
  Farm Manager
  RSPB Scotland
2. Future agriculture policy (in private)

10th Meeting

29 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Professor Cathy Dwyer
  Chair
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Mike Radford
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Dr Ellie Wigham
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
3. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
4. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

9th Meeting

22 March

1. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Jonnie Hall
  General Manager and Director of Policy
  National Farmers Union Scotland
2. Future agriculture policy (in private)

8th Meeting

15 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Kevin Matheson
  Policy Manager, Food and Drink Industry Growth Team
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Ross Lilley
  Head of Natural Resource Management
  NatureScot
• Professor Des Thompson
  Principal Adviser on Biodiversity and Science
  NatureScot
5. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
6. Future agriculture policy (in private)

7th Meeting

08 March

1. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Martin Kennedy
  Co-chair
  Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board
• Tim Bailey
  Member
  Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board
• Anne Rae MacDonald
  Member
  Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board
• Kate Rowell
  Member
  Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board
• Vicki Swales
  Member
  ARIOB Agriculture Policy Development Group
2. Future agriculture policy (in private)
3. Work programme (in private)

6th Meeting

01 March

1. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Jackie McCreery
  Chair
  Dairy Sector Climate Change Group
• Andy McGowan
  Chair
  Scottish Pig Industry Leadership Group
• Andrew Moir
  Chair
  Arable Climate Change Group
• Claire Simonetta
  Member
  Hill, Upland and Crofting Group
• Jim Walker CBE
  Chair
  Suckler Beef Climate Group Programme Board
and then from:
• Chris Stark
  Chief Executive
  Climate Change Committee
• Indra Thillainathan
  Senior Analyst for Agriculture & Land Use
  Climate Change Committee
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Future agriculture policy (in private)

5th Meeting

22 February

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Future agriculture policy
Show witnesses
• Douglas Bell
  Managing Director
  Scottish Tenant Farmers Association
• Dr Gareth Hateley
  Junior Vice President Scottish Branch
  British Veterinary Association
• Donald MacKinnon
  Chair
  Scottish Crofting Federation
• Chloe McCulloch
  Programme Leader
  Farm Advisory Service
• Dr Andrew Midgley
  Senior Land Use Policy Officer
  Scottish Environment LINK
• Ian Muirhead
  Policy Manager
  Agricultural Industries Confederation Scotland
• Ross Paton
  Chair
  Scottish Organic Stakeholders Group
• Pete Ritchie
  Director
  Nourish Scotland
• Susan Robertson
  Regional Officer
  Unite the Union
• Denise Walton
  Scotland Chair
  Nature Friendly Farming Network
• Dr Tara Wight
  Scotland Policy and Campaigns Coordinator
  Landworkers’ Alliance
• Stephen Young
  Head of Policy
  Scottish Land and Estates
3. Future agriculture policy

4th Meeting

08 February

1. Petition PE1951: Reinstate inshore coastal limit on the use of dredge and trawl fishing gears
Show witnesses
• Alistair Bally Philp
  National Coordinator
  Scottish Creel Fisherman's Federation
2. Work programme (in private)

3rd Meeting

01 February

1. Subordinate legislation
2. UK subordinate legislation

2nd Meeting

25 January

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Shark Fins Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Allan Gibb
  Acting Deputy Director, Marine Scotland
  Scottish Government
• Emma Phillips
  Lawyer, Scottish Government Legal Directorate
  Scottish Government
3. Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
Show witnesses
• Màiri McAllan
  Minister for Environment and Land Reform
  Scottish Government
• Rosemary Anfield
  GMO Policy Officer
  Scottish Government
• Caspian Richards
  Head of Policy and Pesticide Survey Unit, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
  Scottish Government
• Emily Williams Boylston
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Shark Fins Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
6. Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
7. Work programme (in private)

1st Meeting

11 January

1. Budget 2023-24
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Erica Clarkson
  Joint Head of Division, Rural and Island Futures
  Scottish Government
• Sheetal Mehra
  Head of Strategic Engagement for Budget and Spending Review
  Scottish Government
• Iain Wallace
  Marine Scotland Head of Strategy and Change
  Scottish Government

This is all meetings of Rural Affairs and Islands Committee held in 2022. On meeting pages you can find agendas, meeting papers, minutes, and links to Official Reports and Scottish Parliament TV.

34th Meeting

14 December

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Ramona Branza
  Head of Food and Drink Industry Growth
  Scottish Government
• Judith Brown
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
5. Work programme (in private)

33rd Meeting

07 December

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill

32nd Meeting

30 November

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Màiri McAllan
  Minister for Environment and Land Reform
  Scottish Government
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Amy Hogarth
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Avian flu in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Sheila Voas
  Chief Veterinary Officer
  Scottish Government
• Alastair Douglas
  Head of Animal Disease Control Branch
  Scottish Government
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Work programme (in private)

31st Meeting

23 November

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Peter Clark
  Public Affairs Manager
  British Association for Shooting and Conservation
• Ross Ewing
  Director of Moorland
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn
  Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Alex Hogg MBE
  Chairman
  Scottish Gamekeepers Association
• Kirsty Jenkins
  Policy Officer
  OneKind
• Robbie Marsland
  Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland
  League Against Cruel Sports
• Jake Swindells
  Director
  Scottish Countryside Alliance
• Detective Sergeant William Telford
  Police Scotland
2. Work programme (in private)

30th Meeting

16 November

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Rebecca Greenan
  Deputy Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Amy Hogarth
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Public petitions: PE01758 End greyhound racing in Scotland
4. Work programme (in private)

29th Meeting

09 November

1. Public petitions: PE1490 Control of wild goose numbers
Show witnesses
• Rae McKenzie
  Policy and Operations Manager
  NatureScot
• Morag Milne
  Wildlife Policy Officer
  NatureScot
2. Subordinate legislation
3. UK subordinate legislation

28th Meeting

02 November

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Common frameworks
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Euan Page
  Head of UK Frameworks
  Scottish Government
3. UK Subordinate legislation
4. Common frameworks
5. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (in private)

27th Meeting

26 October

1. Inshore fisheries
Show witnesses
• Calum Duncan
  Head of Conservation Scotland
  Marine Conservation Society
• Hannah Fennell MSc
  Chief Executive, Orkney Fisheries Association, Vice President
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Lucy Kay
  MPA Project Officer Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
  Coastal Communities Network
• Sheila Keith
  Executive Officer
  Shetland Fishermen's Association
• Simon Macdonald
  Chair
  West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group
• Charles Millar
  Executive Director
  Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust
• Alistair Bally Philp
  National Coordinator
  Scottish Creel Fisherman's Federation
• Dr Fiona Read
  Policy Officer
  Scottish Entanglement Alliance
• Phil Taylor
  Head of Policy and Operations
  The Open Seas Trust
• Elaine Whyte
  Executive Secretary
  Communities Inshore Fisheries Alliance
2. UK subordinate legislation

26th Meeting

05 October

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Pre-Budget Scrutiny
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Allan Gibb
  Head of Sea Fisheries, Marine Scotland
  Scottish Government
• Erica Clarkson
  Joint Interim Head of Division - Rural and Island Futures
  Scottish Government
• Sheetal Mehra
  Head of Strategy & Engagement for Portfolio Budget & Spending Review
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Pre-Budget Scrutiny

25th Meeting

28 September

1. Pre-Budget Scrutiny
Show witnesses
• Russell McCutcheon
  Executive Director (Place)
  North Ayrshire Council
• Pippa Milne
  Chief Executive
  Argyll and Bute Council
• Gareth Waterson
  Corporate Director of Enterprise and Sustainable Regeneration
  Orkney Islands Council
and then from:
• Neil Rutherford
  Senior Associate Director, Investment and Place
  Scottish Futures Trust
• Tony Rose
  Director Strategy and Economy
  Scottish Futures Trust
• Diarmaid Lawlor
  Associate Director, Place
  Scottish Futures Trust
2. UK subordinate legislation

24th Meeting

21 September

1. Pre-Budget Scrutiny (in private)
2. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

23rd Meeting

07 September

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Rural Affairs and Islands remit
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy
  Scottish Government
• Allan Gibb
  Deputy Director of Sea Fisheries
  Scottish Government
• Jill Barber
  Head of Aquaculture Development
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Common frameworks
5. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

22nd Meeting

29 June

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Màiri McAllan
  Minister for Environment and Land Reform
  Scottish Government
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife and Flood Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Hazel Reilly
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Work programme (in private)
5. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

21st Meeting

22 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Michael Clancy OBE
  Director of Law Reform
  Law Society of Scotland
• William Telford
  Detective Sergeant
  Police Scotland
• Sara Shaw
  Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute
  Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Robbie Kernahan
  Director of Green Economy
  NatureScot
3. Aquaculture regulatory review
Show witnesses
• Professor Russel Griggs OBE
4. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit

20th Meeting

15 June

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• Rachel Coutts
  Lawyer
  Scottish Government
• Caspian Richards
  Head of Policy and Pesticide Survey Unit, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
  Scottish Government
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Kirsty Jenkins
  Policy Officer
  OneKind
• Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn
  Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Robbie Marsland
  Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland
  League Against Cruel Sports
• Dr Pete Goddard
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
and then from:
• Rt Hon. Lord Bonomy
6. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit

19th Meeting

08 June

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Penny Middleton
  Policy manager
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Ian Duncan Millar
  Farmer and Chair, Atholl and Breadalbane Fox Control Society
  Scottish Gamekeepers Association
• Barrie Wade
  President
  National Working Terrier Federation
• Jake Swindells
  Director
  Scottish Countryside Alliance
and then from:
• Ross MacLeod
  Head of Policy (Scotland)
  Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
• Duncan Orr-Ewing
  Head of Species and Land Management
  RSPB
2. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

18th Meeting

01 June

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Hugh Dignon
  Head of Wildlife and Flood Management Unit
  Scottish Government
• Leia Fitzgerald
  Team Leader, Wildlife Legislation Team
  Scottish Government
• Hazel Reilly
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Amy Hogarth
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill (in private)

17th Meeting

25 May

1. Work programme (in private)
2. Annual report (in private)

16th Meeting

18 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Fiona Eddy
  Deputy Head of Animal Welfare Policy
  Scottish Government
• Grant McLarty
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit
Show witnesses
• Rt Hon George Eustice
  Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  UK Government
6. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit

15th Meeting

11 May

1. Subordinate legislation
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill

14th Meeting

04 May

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 – Islands plan annual report
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Erica Clarkson
  Head of Island Policy and Communities
  Scottish Government
• Nicola Crook
  National Islands Plan Team Leader
  Scottish Government
• Phil Raines
  Deputy Director Rural Economy and Communities
  Scottish Government
• Professor Francesco Sindico
  Carbon Neutral Islands Team Leader
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 – Islands plan annual report

13th Meeting

27 April

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Consideration of petition
Show witnesses
• Patrick Krause
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Crofting Federation
3. Crisis in Ukraine - impact on food supply chain in Scotland
Show witnesses
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive Officer
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Professor Alan Matthews
  Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy
  Trinity College Dublin
• Dr Mike Rivington
  Land Use System Modeller
  James Hutton Institute
• Steven Thomson
  Agricultural Economist
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Scott Walker
  Chief Executive Officer
  National Farmers Union Scotland
4. Crisis in Ukraine - impact on food supply chain in Scotland

12th Meeting

20 April

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. UK subordinate legislation
6. Draft Joint Fisheries Statement

11th Meeting

30 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill

10th Meeting

23 March

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Draft Joint Fisheries Statement
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Draft Joint Fisheries Statement

9th Meeting

16 March

1. Subordinate legislation
2. UK subordinate legislation
3. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)

8th Meeting

09 March

1. Subordinate legislation
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. UK subordinate legislation
6. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)

7th Meeting

02 March

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Simon Macdonald
  Chair
  West Coast Regional Inshore Fisheries Group
• Sean McIllwraith
  Galloway Static Gear Association
• Alistair Bally Philp
  National Coordinator
  Scottish Creel Fisherman's Federation
• Elaine Whyte
  Executive Secretary
  Clyde Fisherman’s Association
and then from:
• Professor Michael Heath
  University of Strathclyde
and then from:
• Russell Cheshire
  Trustee
  Community of Arran Seabed Trust
• Alex Watson Crook
  Projects Manager
  Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust
• Calum Duncan
  Convener, Marine Group
  Scottish Environment LINK
• David Nairn
  Our Seas Coalition
• Phil Taylor
  Head of Policy and Operations
  The Open Seas Trust

6th Meeting

23 February

1. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
2. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)
3. Work programme (in private)
4. National Planning Framework 4 (in private)

5th Meeting

09 February

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Draft National Planning Framework 4
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Mike Callaghan
  COSLA Policy Manager
  COSLA
• Mark Hunter
  Strategic Lead Food and Facilities Support
  East Ayrshire Council
• Jayne Jones
  National Chair of ASSIST FM Food and Drink
  Argyll & Bute Council
6. Draft National Planning Framework 4
7. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)

4th Meeting

02 February

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Iain Gulland
  Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
  Zero Waste Scotland
• Dr Mike Rivington
  Land Use System Modeller
  James Hutton Institute
• Dr Kirsteen Shields
  Lecturer in International Law and Food Security
  Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
• Vicki Swales
  Head of Land Use Policy, RSPB Scotland
  Scottish Environment LINK
and then from:
• Dr Isabel Fletcher
  Senior Research Fellow
  University of Edinburgh
• Claire Hislop
  Organisational Lead for Diet, Physical Activity and Healthy Weight
  Public Health Scotland
• Jill Muirie
  Public Health Programme Manager
  Glasgow Centre for Population Health
• Jo Teece
  Project Manager
  British Dietetic Association
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Joint Fisheries Statement
6. Impact of EU exit
7. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)

3rd Meeting

26 January

1. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Polly Jones
  Head of Scotland
  The Trussell Trust
• Pete Ritchie
  Director
  Nourish Scotland
• Tilly Robinson-Miles
  Impact and Policy Officer
  Food Train
• Anna Taylor
  Executive Director
  The Food Foundation
and then from:
• John Davidson
  Deputy Chief Executive and Strategy Director
  Scotland Food & Drink
• Karen Galloway
  Head of Retail and Insights
  Seafood Scotland
• Jonnie Hall
  Director of Policy
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Claire White
  Manager
  Shetland Food & Drink Limited
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)

2nd Meeting

19 January

1. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• Professor Mary Brennan
  Chair
  Scottish Food Coalition
• Robin Gourlay
• Geoff Ogle
  Chief Executive
  Food Standards Scotland
2. UK Subordinate legislation
3. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)

1st Meeting

12 January

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. Scottish Budget 2022-23
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Caro Cowan
  Head of EU Exit (Marine Scotland)
  Scottish Government
• Shiree Donnelly
  Head of Finance
  Scottish Government
• James Muldoon
  Head of Agriculture Support Policy Development Unit
  Scottish Government
• Philip Raines
  Interim Deputy Director, Rural Economy and Communities
  Scottish Government
3. Impact of EU exit
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Caro Cowan
  Head of EU Exit (Marine Scotland)
  Scottish Government
• Jesus Gallego
  Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer
  Scottish Government
• Jen Willoughby
  Head of National and International Regulatory Alignment Unit
  Scottish Government
4. Subordinate legislation
5. Subordinate legislation
6. Scottish Budget 2022-23
7. Impact of EU exit

This is all meetings of Rural Affairs and Islands Committee held in 2021. On meeting pages you can find agendas, meeting papers, minutes, and links to Official Reports and Scottish Parliament TV.

15th Meeting

15 December

1. UK Subordinate legislation
2. Work programme (in private)

14th Meeting

08 December

1. Climate and nature emergencies
Show witnesses
• Professor Sir Dieter Helm
  Professor of Economic Policy
  Oxford University
and then from:
• Ian Dickie
  Director
  eftec (Economics for the Environment)
• Eilidh Mactaggart
  Chief Executive
  Scottish National Investment Bank
• Jo Pike
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Wildlife Trust
• Dr Pat Snowdon
  Head of Economics and Woodland Carbon Code
  Scottish Forestry
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Climate and nature emergencies (in private)
4. Work programme (in private)

13th Meeting

01 December

1. Climate and nature emergencies
Show witnesses
• Dr Fiona Read
  Policy Officer
  Scottish Entanglement Alliance
• Dr Alistair Rennie
  Project Manager
  Dynamic Coast
• Danny Renton
  Chief Executive Officer
  Seawilding
• Rachel Shucksmith
  Marine Spatial Planning Manager, Marine Science & Technology Department
  University of the Highlands and Islands Shetland
and then from:
• Terry A'Hearn
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Grant Moir
  Chief Executive Officer
  Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Graham Neville
  Area Manager for Northern Isles and North Highland
  NatureScot
• Dr David Signorini
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Forestry
• Andy Wells
  Investment and Sales Programme Director
  Crown Estate Scotland
2. UK subordinate legislation

12th Meeting

24 November

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Lorna Slater
  Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
  Scottish Government
• Clarinda Burrell
  Tree Health Policy Implementation Officer, Scottish Forestry
  Scottish Government
• Rachel Coutts
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• James Nott
  Head of Tree Health, Scottish Forestry
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. UK subordinate legislation
4. Climate and nature emergencies
Show witnesses
• Rebecca Audsley
  Project Manager for Farming for a Better Climate
  Scottish Agriculture College
• Michael Clarke
  Scotland Chair
  Nature Friendly Farming Network
• David Finlay
  Owner
  The Ethical Dairy
• Dee Ward
  Chairman
  Wildlife Estates Scotland
and then from:
• Ellie MacLennan
  Project Co-ordinator
  Scottish Entanglement Alliance
• Dr Alistair Rennie
  Project Manager
  Dynamic Coast
• Danny Renton
  Chief Executive Officer
  Seawilding
• Rachel Shucksmith
  Marine Spatial Planning Manager, Marine Science & Technology Department
  University of the Highlands and Islands Shetland
5. Work programme (in private)

11th Meeting

17 November

1. Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (UK Parliament legislation)
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Andrew Voas
  Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare
  Scottish Government
• Keith White
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• Judith Brown
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Joe Kirk
  Senior Poultry Officer
  Scottish Government
• Kevin Matheson
  Livestock Policy Manager
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Climate and nature emergencies
Show witnesses
• Professor Bill Austin
  Chair, Scotland's Blue Carbon Forum
  University of St Andrews
• Professor Sir Ian Boyd
  Marine Mammals Specialist
  University of St Andrews
• Susan Davies
  Head, Scottish Seabird Centre
• Professor Paul Fernandes
  Chair of Fisheries Science at University of Aberdeen
  Aberdeen University
• Dr Tara Marshall
  Senior Lecturer in Fisheries Science
  Aberdeen University
and then from:
• Dr Helaina Black
  Honorary Associate
  The James Hutton Institute
• Professor Rob Brooker
  Head of Ecological Sciences
  The James Hutton Institute
• Professor Marc Metzger
  Chair in Environment and Society
  University of Edinburgh
• Professor Pete Smith
  Chair in Plant and Soil Science
  Aberdeen University

10th Meeting

10 November

1. Evidence Session
Show witnesses
• Professor Cathy Dwyer
  Chair
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Libby Anderson
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Dr Paula Boyden
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Dr Pete Goddard
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• James Yeates
  Member
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Subordinate legislation
4. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

9th Meeting

03 November

1. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
Show witnesses
• George Burgess
  Deputy Director Food and Drink
  Scottish Government
• Ashley Cooke
  Head of Food Policy
  Scottish Government
• James Hamilton
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
• Tracy McCollin
  Good Food Nation Bill Team
  Scottish Government
2. Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill (in private)
3. Work programme (in private)

8th Meeting

27 October

1. Work programme (in private)
2. Budget Scrutiny 2022/23 (in private)

7th Meeting

06 October

1. Decision on taking business in private
2. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
3. Subordinate legislation
4. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
5. Scotland’s Island Communities
Show witnesses
• Dr Ruth Wilson
  The James Hutton Institute
• Dr Jonathan Hopkins
  The James Hutton Institute
• Philip Raines
  Interim Deputy Director, Rural Economy and Communities
  Scottish Government
and then from:
• Camille Dressler
  Chair
  Scottish Islands Federation
• Douglas Cowan
  Director of Communities and Place
  Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• Artemis Pana
  National Coordinator
  Scottish Rural Action
• Derek Logie
  Chief Executive
  Rural Housing Scotland
• Jenny Milne
  Scottish Rural and Islands Transport Community
• Alex Reid
  Scottish Rural and Islands Transport Community
• Jane Craigie
  Director
  Rural Youth Project
• Kieran Sinclair
  Rural Youth Project
• Ailsa Raeburn
  Chair
  Community Land Scotland
6. Evidence Session (in private)

6th Meeting

29 September

1. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Màiri McAllan
  Minister for Environment and Land Reform
  Scottish Government
• Tim Gordon-Roberts
  Regulations Manager, Scottish Forestry
  Scottish Government
• Amy Hogarth
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
2. Subordinate legislation
3. Animal health and welfare
Show witnesses
• Kirsty Jenkins
  Policy Officer
  OneKind
• Dr Romain Pizzi
  President
  Scottish branch of the British Veterinary Association
• Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn
  Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Dr Simon Turner
  Senior Researcher, Animal and Veterinary Sciences
  Scotland’s Rural College
and then from:
• Professor Cathy Dwyer
  Chair
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Dr Andrew Kitchener
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Dr Peter Goddard
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Professor Simon Girling
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
• Libby Anderson
  Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
4. Evidence Session (in private)

5th Meeting

22 September

1. Farming and crofting
Show witnesses
• Beatrice Morrice
  Political Affairs Manager
  National Farmers Union Scotland
• Professor Davy McCracken
  Head of Integrated Land Management Department
  Scotland’s Rural College
• Mike Robinson
  Co-chair, Farming for 1.50 Inquiry
• Professor Sally Shortall
  Member, Women in Agriculture Taskforce
and then from:
• Stephen Young
  Head of Policy
  Scottish Land and Estates
• Christopher Nicholson
  Chairman
  Scottish Tenant Farmers Association
• Pete Ritchie
  Chair, Scottish Environment Link Food and Farming Group
• Donald MacKinnon
  Chair
  Scottish Crofting Federation
• Miranda Geelhoed
  Scotland Policy and Campaigns Coordinator
  Landworkers’ Alliance
2. Subordinate legislation
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• John Nicolson
  Policy manager, Animal Welfare Team
  Scottish Government
• Grant McLarty
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government
3. Subordinate legislation
4. Farming and crofting (in private)

4th Meeting

15 September

1. Fisheries and aquaculture
Show witnesses
• Elaine Whyte
  Executive Secretary
  Clyde Fisherman’s Association
• Elspeth Macdonald
  Chief Executive Officer
  Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
• Tavish Scott
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation
• Jimmy Buchan
  Chief Executive Officer
  Scottish Seafood Association
and then from:
• Katie Gillham
  Head of Marine Ecosystems
  NatureScot
• Cathy Tilbrook
  Head of Sustainable Coasts and Seas
  NatureScot
• Calum Duncan
  Head of Conservation Scotland
  Marine Conservation Society
• Charles Millar
  Executive Director
  Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust
2. Fisheries and aquaculture (in private)

3rd Meeting

08 September

1. Scottish Government priorities
Show witnesses
• Mairi Gougeon
  Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands
  Scottish Government
• George Burgess
  Deputy Director Food and Drink
  Scottish Government
• John Kerr
  Head of Agriculture Policy Division
  Scottish Government
• Caro Cowan
  Deputy Director, Marine Scotland Funding and Strategy
  Scottish Government
2. Scottish Government priorities (in private)

2nd Meeting

01 September

1. Food and drink supply chain
Show witnesses
• Geoff Ogle
  Chief Executive
  Food Standards Scotland
• Fraser Grieve
  Deputy Director of Strategy and Communications
  Scotch Whisky Association
• James Withers
  Chief Executive
  Scotland Food & Drink
• Professor Mary Brennan
  Chair
  Scottish Food Coalition
and then from:
• David Thomson
  Chief Executive
  Food & Drink Federation Scotland
• Martin Reid
  Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland
  Road Haulage Association
• Pete Cheema
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Grocers' Federation
• Doctor John Lee
  Head of Public Affairs
  Scottish Grocers' Federation
• Colin Smith
  Chief Executive
  Scottish Wholesale Association
2. Choice of Deputy Convener
3. Food and drink supply chain
4. Decision on taking business in private

1st Meeting

22 June