Minutes: 23 November 2022

1. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence, in a round-table discussion, to inform its consideration of Stage 2 amendments from—

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;

Kirsty Jenkins, Policy Officer, OneKind;

Jake Swindells, Director, Scottish Countryside Alliance;

Robbie Marsland, Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland, League Against Cruel Sports;

Detective Sergeant William Telford, Police Scotland;

Alex Hogg MBE, Chairman, Scottish Gamekeepers Association.

2. Work programme(In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed to consider a more detailed work programme paper relating to its pre-legislative work on future agricultural policy at a future meeting. The Committee agreed to defer further consideration of petition PE1758 (end greyhound racing in Scotland) until the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has concluded its consideration of the issues included in the review of greyhound welfare produced by the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Blue Cross. The Committee agreed to continue consideration of its work programme at its next meeting.