Minutes: 25 June 2024

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5, 6, 7 and 8 in private.

2. Land Reform (Scotland) Bill:

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

Gemma Cooper, Head of Policy, National Farmers Union Scotland;

Christopher Nicholson, Chairman, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association;

Jackie McCreery, Legal Adviser, Scottish Land and Estates;

Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Adviser, Central Association of Agricultural Valuers Scotland;

Mhairi Robertson, Land Manager and Chartered Rural Surveyor, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

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 farm 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 for about 20 acres under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991. He also declared that he sometimes takes on grass lets on an annual basis.

Ben Macpherson declared he is registered on the roll of Scottish Solicitors.

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposal— 

Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2024.

The Committee agreed (by division: For 5, Against 1, Abstentions 1) that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

4. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating in a devolved area as set out in the following UK statutory instrument proposal—

Invasive Alien Species De-listing Regulations 2024.

The Committee agreed that the provision set out in the notification should be included in the UK statutory instrument. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a partner in and owner of 50% of Delfur Fishings, of Moray, a rod and line salmon fishing business.

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

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Appointments to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission (In Private):

The Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and agreed a response confirming its approach to consideration of appointments.

7. Appointments to the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.

The Committee agreed its approach to scrutiny of an appointment of a new chair to Environmental Standards Scotland. The Committee agreed to write a letter to the Scottish Government regarding its decision.

8. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

The Committee agreed an approach to pre-legislative scrutiny of an anticipated Bill on the approach to setting emissions reduction targets including holding a call for views.