Minutes: 03 December 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3 and 4 in private.

2. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Magnus Linklater CBE, Journalist;

Laurie Macfarlane, Co-Director of Future Economy Scotland;

Peter Peacock, Formerly - Leader Highland Council; MSP for Highlands and Islands; Scottish Executive Cabinet Minister; Policy Director Community Land Scotland;

Andy Wightman, Researcher, "Who Owns Scotland" Project.

Edward Mountain declared an interest in a farming partnership in Moray, as set out in the register of interests. Specifically, he declared an interest as owner of approximately 500 acres of farmed land, of which 50 acres is woodland. He also declared that he is a tenant of approximately 500 acres in Moray under a non-agricultural tenancy and that he has another farming tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991. He also declared that he sometimes takes on grass lets on an annual basis.

3. Subordinate legislation (In Private):

The Committee considered its approach to consideration of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 and agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, the National Farmers Union Scotland, Scottish Water, Environmental Standards Scotland, the Environmental Rights Centre Scotland and to all Local Authorities to seek further information about the instrument. The Committee also agreed to ask the Scottish Government to consider withdrawing and re-laying the instrument to allow more time for scrutiny.

4. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard at agenda item 2.