Minutes: 19 June 2024

1. Declaration of interests:

Colin Beattie was invited to declare any relevant interests. Colin said that he had no interests to declare.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.

3. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Professor Nick Owens, SSAC Member and Christine Lawson, Head of SSAC Secretariat, Scottish Science Advisory Council;

and then from—

Lin Bunten, Chief Operating Officer, Regulation, Business and Environment and Mike Montague, Aquaculture Specialist, Scottish Environment Protection Agency .

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a partner in a wild salmon fishery.

4. UK subordinate legislation:

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

Official Controls (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Sea Fisheries (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2024

5. Pre-budget scrutiny 2025 to 2026 (In Private):

The Committee agreed its approach to pre-budget scrutiny.

6. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee reviewed the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.