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Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 22 December 2024
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Displaying 450 contributions

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Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 21 June 2023

Christine Grahame

So, you would go to NatureScot, but I take it that the prosecution would take priority over anything else.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Rural Affairs and Islands Remit

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

We will have a change of temperature with my questions on trees. This whole thing is new to me, but I was surprised to learn that the policy aim is to have 21 per cent of Scotland covered by forests by 2032. I do not know whether that would be terribly popular with lots of people. I would like to know whether those trees are going to be Sitka spruce. I remember the whole of Galloway being covered by Sitka spruce. I also understand from the Scottish Land Commission that an unintended consequence may have been an increase in land values.

I am learning as I go, so I may be asking things that are very stupid, which I am well known for. I note that the criteria for getting grants have a great deal to do with what is planted and where. I appreciate that the consultation concluded just this month, so this question might be premature, but can you give me your thoughts on how the grant system might operate so that we get the right trees in the right places, communities and farmers are in the main content and we can reach your 21 per cent target?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Rural Affairs and Islands Remit

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

I am sorry to interrupt, but can we also ask about rescue and rehoming centres? Some of them are quite well meaning but amateur. Will that also be part of the work?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

I did not hear the answer because somebody coughed. Am I correct in saying that, although a ban on snaring does not appear in the bill as laid, serious consideration is being given to lodging an amendment to introduce such a ban at stage 2?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

Can I follow that up?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

Or whether it is a company in the Bahamas.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

Therefore, to put it in simple language, I should not have any concerns about estates that have two or three companies operating on them that are registered abroad. You will still be able to revoke the licence. There will not be problems about intimation or anything such as that. You could put it in a newspaper or the internet, but you will be able to revoke the licence—you will not need to actually serve someone with a notice.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

But that is what it means.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

What are the current limitations on the SSPCA investigating anything? When must it just stop? What has been considered with regard to extending those powers?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 31 May 2023

Christine Grahame

That is, indeed, better done through primary legislation, in my view.

I asked earlier about amendments on snaring. Is it possible for even a draft of the SSPCA powers amendment to be put before the committee during our stage 1 contemplation, whether or not it is in its final form? That would give a steer on which anybody in the committee might take a view. Indeed, the Government might change it, or somebody on the committee might take a view to amend the proposed amendment in one way or another.