Seòmar agus comataidhean

Our next item of business is an evidence session as part of our follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland. Today’s session is about marine spatial planning and consenting processes. We have around 90 minutes for the discussion. I welcome to the meeting Mark Harvey, who is from the planning team in Highland Council, and Ronan O’Hara, who is the chief executive of the Crown Estate Scotland. Rachel Shucksmith, who is the marine spatial planning manager at the University of the Highlands and Islands, joins us remotely.

I also welcome Edward Mountain MSP, who will be taking part in the discussion. Mr Mountain, do you have any interests to declare?

Dr Shucksmith, what do you believe are the current challenges around aquaculture planning and consenting, and what further improvements would help the current regime to address them?

One of the REC Committee’s key recommendations was that there should be a more integrated and co-ordinated framework approach to consenting. One of the consenting task group’s solutions was to pilot a four-stage process. What is your experience of that? Is it working? What are your thoughts on the four-stage process?

We move to our next theme, which is strategic spatial planning.

I am sorry, but we have to move on. I am just very conscious of the time. We have about 30 minutes left and still have quite a number of questions to ask.

We move on to our third theme, which is siting near migratory routes, with a question from Emma Harper.

The committee recently heard that there was evidence that sites are still being consented close to migratory routes, despite the policies in NPF4, and that district salmon fishery boards’ views are not given enough weight. Mark Harvey, given your experience, do you recognise those comments or concerns?

Thank you. We move to the next theme, which is enforcement.

Amendment 60, in the name of Rachael Hamilton, is grouped with amendments 63, 65, 66, 71, 73, 74 and 77.

The result of the division is: For 2, Against 7, Abstentions 0.

Amendment 60 disagreed to.

Section 1—Ministers to make code of practice

Amendment 6, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 8, 17, 18, 29 to 31, 35 and 37.