Official Report: search what was said in Parliament
The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
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Displaying 1909 contributions
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Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Can I press you on the licensing scheme, Professor Reid? I was on the committee that looked at the review originally, back in the day. I have read through the papers and I note that you said:
“We want to see a licensing scheme that is more flexible and responsive than a black-and-white scheme whereby you have to apply every year to get a licence.”—[Official Report, Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, 21 January 2020; c 12.]
However, proposed new section 16AA(5)(b) of the 1981 act provides that licences may be granted for a maximum of one year. Would the scheme be improved if licences were granted for a longer period?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Professor Reid explained the situation pretty well, but I want to get some clarity on the suspension of licences. The bill includes proposed powers for NatureScot to suspend licences even if it is not satisfied, in relation to the civil burden of proof, that an offence has been committed. Of course, there would be an official investigation relating to the person who had been accused of committing an offence. What are your observations on proposed new section 16AA, if you have had an opportunity to look at it? Do the proposals contain a lower evidential bar to suspension than was envisaged in the Werritty report?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
In a previous session, stakeholders said that an appeal could take a long time—up to a year. With regard to your vision of how the legislation should be shaped, should sheriffs have a discretionary power to decide that a penalty imposed by NatureScot should have no effect, pending determination of an appeal?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Do you think that an investigation should be triggered by a vexatious allegation?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
There is a piece on training—
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
I do not have a question just now, convener.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Professor Newton, you have described the habitat benefits of muirburn. With regard to the questions that Alasdair Allan and the convener have asked and the issues of peat depth and cool burning, should there be a single licensing scheme rather than two schemes, one for peat depth under 40cm and the other for peat depth over 40cm?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Alex Hogg wants to come in.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Who?
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Rachael Hamilton
Do people sit on the hills?
