Seòmar agus comataidhean

You are setting yourself timescales, but do they also apply to the other agencies that are involved?

Okay. So, basically, there is no change.

Good morning, and welcome to the 38th meeting in 2024 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.

Our first item of business is a decision on taking business in private. Do members agree to take in private item 4, which is consideration of the evidence that we will hear on proposed regulations on environmental authorisations; item 5, which is consideration of the evidence that we will hear on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill; and item 6, which is consideration of the committee’s work programme?

Members indicated agreement.

Our second item of business is an evidence-taking session on the proposed Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025, which were laid at the end of last month. I have to say that the lack of prior notice was unfortunate; if the committee had known that the regulations were coming, and that they were unusually important, complex and long, we could have begun scrutiny and work on them much earlier.

That said, I put on record my thanks to the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy for her prompt and positive response to the committee’s request to withdraw and re-lay the instrument early in the new year to allow us to carry out some additional scrutiny. That decision was also appreciated by stakeholders, who now have a more reasonable length of time to respond to the questions that we have put to them on the regulations. This evidence session is with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, to hear its views on the regulations and the resources and skills needed to ensure that they are enforced effectively.

Before I welcome the witnesses to the meeting, I remind members that I am a farmer and a landowner. As such, I use the regulations, not only to carry out activities on the farm but in relation to watercourses that run through it.

I welcome Lin Bunten, chief operating officer, regulation, business and environment, SEPA. She is supported this morning by Scott Crawford, senior manager, compliance and beyond, permitting; and Wendy Thornton, senior manager, compliance and beyond, environmental performance. Before we move to questions from members, Lin will make a brief opening statement.

Out of interest, if things do not work out and you are going to refer the case to the tenant farming commissioner, what do you think would be a reasonable timescale? Sometimes, negotiations can become so protracted that there is never a solution. Would it be fair to say that you would refer the case if negotiations had not been, or could not be, resolved in—I am just thinking of a timescale to help people—three months? Does anyone have a view on that? You are all looking away. [Laughter.]

So, one process will become easier, and one is already easy. Is that what you are saying?

Other committee members want to ask questions, so I will stop hogging the floor and move to Douglas Lumsden.

Does anyone else want to come in? All the witnesses are looking away, Michael. Do you have another question?

Bob Doris wants to ask a specific question.

We will come to that in a minute.