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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 27 November 2024
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Displaying 1909 contributions

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Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

The minister has answered the questions, but it looks as though operators will need two types of equipment to do what the SSI requires. Investment in equipment will be required, and that money will need to come out of the budget. I have spoken to people who say that it will cost them, on average, £10,000 to get equipment that is up to standard. Hugh Dignon is shaking his head, but I have heard from stakeholders who say that.

The minister has said that changes will need to be made to best practice and to the fit and competent test for night shooting authorisations for the welfare of the operator. We are being expected to pass the SSI when we have no answer to those questions. It is just like what has happened with other pieces of legislation that have passed responsibility for codes of practice to NatureScot. Committee members are being expected to be mind readers and to know what will be in the fit and competent test so that the welfare of operators can be upheld.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

I think that the figure you quoted was that 17 per cent of culled deer are culled at night.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Okay. Going back to basics, is it the male or female cull that reduces deer numbers?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

FLS will not have to submit them at all, but even if it did, they would not be turned down, so what is the problem?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

That is fine.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Okay. So, NatureScot will have oversight of anything that is attached to certain circumstances, such as, as Kate Forbes described, the age of a culled male deer?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Bracken Control

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

That is helpful.

You will be aware of the new product amidosulfuron. What work is the Government doing to establish a new approach to control? Obviously, mechanical control on steep banking is not safe.

It is very difficult to suck up the argument that only in some circumstances is it important to control ticks, because they can be a public health issue for walkers, ramblers and others enjoying the countryside due to the risk of Lyme disease. We know that ticks carrying Lyme disease are more prevalent in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, which is really important, but people seem to be picking and choosing when controlling ticks or Lyme disease is important. I am referring to the previous discussion about deer. It is important that we take a consistent approach. I make that comment.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Does the Scottish Government have evidence that targeting males all year round will control the deer population?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

So, how will the order cut red tape for the likes of FLS?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 13 September 2023

Rachael Hamilton

On the basis that land managers have raised concerns with—I presume—all of us in this room with regard to the point that Kate Forbes made, do you believe that if land managers observe the close season, the Scottish Government will achieve the reduction in population numbers that it expects?