Minutes: 23 March 2022

1. Declaration of interests:

Edward Mountain declared the following interests: partner in a family farming business farming 500 acres and tenant farming another 500 acres with ancillary residential lettings; and 50% owner of a salmon fishery.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.

3. Draft Joint Fisheries Statement:

The Committee took evidence from—

Professor James Harrison, University of Edinburgh;

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation;

Helen McLachlan, Future Fisheries Alliance;

Charles Millar, Executive Director, Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust;

Elaine Whyte, Communities Inshore Fisheries Alliance;

and then from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands,

Allan Gibb, Acting Deputy Director, Sea Fisheries and Paul McCarthy, Policy Manager, Funding and Strategy, Scottish Government.

4. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating using the powers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 in relation to the following UK statutory instrument—

Import of Animals and Animal Products and Approved Countries (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulation 2022.

The Committee agreed that the provisions set out in the notification should be included in the UK SI.

5. Draft Joint Fisheries Statement:

The Committee reviewed the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.