Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
The Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee was established in June 2021. It focuses on areas including:
- farming
- food and drink supply,
- animal welfare,
- fisheries and aquaculture,
- crofting
- issues relevant to the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 (external website)
If you want to get in touch, you can contact Emma Johnston, the Clerk for the committee.
Tagh raon-ama:
Post-d: rural.committee@parliament.scot
Post-d: @SP_RuralAffairs
If you're appearing as a witness at a committee, take a look at our witness guide for more information.
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Tagh raon-ama Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
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Finlay Carson
Convener
Party: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for: Galloway and West Dumfries (Constituency)
Beatrice Wishart
Deputy Convener
Party: Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for: Shetland Islands (Constituency)
Karen Adam
Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Banffshire and Buchan Coast (Constituency)
Alasdair Allan
Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Constituency)
Ariane Burgess
Member
Party: Scottish Green Party
MSP for: Highlands and Islands (Region)
Jim Fairlie
Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Perthshire South and Kinross-shire (Constituency)
Rachael Hamilton
Member
Party: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for: Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Constituency)
Jenni Minto
Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: Argyll and Bute (Constituency)
Mercedes Villalba
Member
Party: Scottish Labour
MSP for: North East Scotland (Region)
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Emma Harper
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish National Party
MSP for: South Scotland (Region)
Liam McArthur
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish Liberal Democrats
MSP for: Orkney Islands (Constituency)
Edward Mountain
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MSP for: Highlands and Islands (Region)
Colin Smyth
Substitute Member
Party: Scottish Labour
MSP for: South Scotland (Region)
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Summary of work programme – agreed 27 October 2021
General
- Climate and Nature emergencies – evidence sessions Nov/Dec 2021
- Biodiversity strategy – impact on RAI remit
- Natural environment bill - TBC
- NPF4 – Dec/Jan 2021/22
Land use
- Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
- Inquiry into future agriculture and land based policy
- Deer/grouse moor management and legislation – TBC
- Agriculture bill – 2023 TBC
- Land reform bill - TBC
Fisheries and aquaculture
- Review of regulation of fish farms
- Joint Fisheries Statement
- Inquiry into blue economy
Food and drink
- Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill/good food plans
Animal welfare
- Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill – LCM
- Wildlife crime annual reports
- Scottish vetinerary service legislation – TBC
Islands (Scotland) Act 2018
- Annual reports and report on the operation of the Act; and
- Associated funding commitments.
Please note this work programme will be reviewed at regular intervals and does not preclude additional scrutiny being undertaken, where agreed by the Committee.
Correspondence
Committee correspondence
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Petition PE1758: End greyhound racing in Scotland - Scottish Animal Welfare Commission
Letter from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission to the Convener, 23 May 2022
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Letter fto the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, from the Convener, 23 May 2022
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Letter from the Minister for Green skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Lorna Slater, to the Convener, 20 May 2022
Official Reports
Official Reports
Meeting date: Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, European Union Exit: Impact on Rural Affairs and Islands Remit
Meeting date: Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Subordinate Legislation, European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Petition, Crisis in Ukraine: Impact on Food Supply Chain in Scotland
Reports
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Stage 1 report on the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill
This report sets out the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee's consideration of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
Remit
To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands.