Minutes: 21 June 2023

1. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

2. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill:

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

Robbie Kernahan, Director of Green Economy, NatureScot;

Dr Marnie Lovejoy, Head of Evidence and Environmental Law, British Association for Shooting and Conservation;

Detective Sergeant David Lynn, National Wildlife Crime Coordinator, Police Scotland;

Ashley McCann, Legal Advisor, Scottish Land and Estates;

Ross MacLeod, Head of Policy (Scotland), Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust;

Jamie Whittle, Committee Member, Rural Affairs Sub-committee, Law Society of Scotland;

Max Wiszniewski, Campaign Manager, Revive;

Ian Thomson, Head of Investigations, RSPB Scotland;

and then from—

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland, Scottish Land and Estates;

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson, Head of Training and Wildfire Capability Lead, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service;

Dr Miranda Geelhoed, Policy Coordinator, Scottish Crofting Federation;

Dr Nick Hesford, Scottish Adviser, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust;

Dr Emma Hinchliffe, Director, IUCN UK Peatland Programme;

Robbie Kernahan, Director of Green Economy, NatureScot;

Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management, RSPB Scotland.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

Public Intervention and Private Storage Aid (Amendment and Suspension) (Scotland) Regulations 2023
Seed (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023
Feed Additives (Form of Provisional Authorisations) (Cobalt(II) Compounds) (Scotland) Regulations 2023

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instruments. The Committee also agreed to write to the Scottish Government in relation to the Public Intervention and Private Storage Aid (Amendment and Suspension) (Scotland) Regulations 2023.

4. Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee agreed to consider the evidence it heard at a later meeting.