Jim Fairlie
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“The Scottish Government recognises the challenges that certain plant and animal species pose to agricultural businesses and is supporting farmers to manage those impacts.”
“Will the Government also commit to implementing a more pragmatic licence application scheme for the removal of species where the impact on business and other conservation species or habitats is clear? Jim Fairlie: As Amanda Lindsay points out, there is a management scheme.”
“The Scottish Government remains committed to that work. Indeed, in September, in the Scottish Parliament, I hosted and chaired a constructive round-table discussion on alternative farrowing systems with representatives from the Scottish pig industry, animal welfare organisations and academia.”
“Therefore, we will be working closely with the UK Government and other devolved Administrations on the delivery of the programme. This is a draft Official Report and is subject to correction between publication and archiving, which will take place no later than 35 working days after the date of the meeting.”
“I welcome Joe Fagan to the chamber. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting agriculture, food production and our food and drink sectors in a fair manner. In March, we published our first rural support plan, outlining support for the next five years and providing the clarity, certainty and opportunity to plan.”
“At column 3, paragraph 3— Original text— I point out to the member that we are doing this in concert with the UK Government. There is a joint consultation ongoing as we speak, and I have confirmed with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ministers our agreement to do that joint consultation.”
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“Additionally, we work closely with the Scottish Grocers Federation and support its go local campaign, which is helping to transform convenience stores with dedicated display spaces for local produce. Venison in Catering (Support for Public Bodies) 8.”
“One of our hopes is to see such products on local supermarket shelves much more often, so that local people can easily identify and buy locally produced food in order to support our producers. Will the 2024 act help to encourage that? Will the minister update Parliament on how he is engaging with the sector to improve the position on that? Jim Fairlie: I absolutely take on board Willie Coffey’s point. He has been a very strong advocate for his constituency. We have committed £15 million over 2023 to 2026 to support the delivery of Scotland’s food and drink strategy, which is sustaining Scotland and supplying the world. That funding facilitates a range of activities and direct engagement with grocery retailers in order to help to increase the volume of Scottish food and drink on our retail shelves.”
“The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 will commence on 16 June, which will provide the powers to introduce the future support framework that was consulted on and enable payments to be made under the four tiers. We remain committed to direct payments, and the act provides flexibility to deliver them throughout changing circumstances while realising our vision for agriculture and delivering on our commitment to support agriculture and rural communities. As the act requires, the rural support plan will set out how support will deliver on the act’s objectives and the Scottish Government’s wider priorities over a five- year period starting from 2026. Willie Coffey: As the minister knows, we are very proud of the wonderful food offerings that we have across Ayrshire, many of which I have mentioned in the chamber before.”
“However, good governance requires that consideration be given to the full range of evidence that relates to all red and amber-listed species that are listed in schedule 2 to the 1981 act. Land management practices such as habitat improvement and predator control can have benefits for red-listed bird species in certain circumstances, and we want to ensure that the schedule 2 changes do not lead to unintended consequences.”
“The review of species that are listed in schedule 2 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 has been completed by NatureScot. The Scottish Government is currently considering the findings from the review and will provide an update on the next steps in due course. David Torrance: Our approach to environmental issues has changed enormously since 1981, and it is only right that legislation is considered periodically to determine whether it needs to be replaced or amended. The Scottish Government has the powers to prohibit the hunting of ptarmigan while a lengthy process takes its course. Will the minister clarify whether that approach has been considered? Jim Fairlie: I appreciate the concerns that David Torrance has raised about the review’s timescales.”
“On what we are doing with regard to licences for seagull management, I have had conversations with Douglas Ross, Fergus Ewing and many others on the issue, and we accept that there are issues with seagulls that are causing problems for people living in certain areas. That is why I am hosting a seagull summit later in the year, in the north. It will be in Inverness or Nairn, or somewhere in that area, but that has not been decided yet. When we have that summit, we will discuss what happens with seagulls in urban populations right across the country.”
“Does he endorse NatureScot’s ridiculous suggestion to use dogs in a rooftop seagull sniffer pawtrol? If so, should my constituents be training spaniels to scale scaffolding, attaching Labradors to drones or giving parachutes to poodles? Jim Fairlie: We recognise that it is an issue for people, so the tone in which Rachael Hamilton has just approached that question is rather disappointing. We also recognise that, when NatureScot has got it wrong, it has rectified that, which the member has clearly demonstrated. If NatureScot is going to apologise to her constituents, that is up to NatureScot to do. Rachael Hamilton: Will you? Jim Fairlie: If NatureScot is going to apologise to her constituents, that is up to it to do.”
“NatureScot has received four applications to manage gulls to protect public health and safety in Eyemouth this year, and three licences have been issued. One licence was refused, and NatureScot has met that applicant and is working with them on the details of their application. Rachael Hamilton: Despite acknowledging that aggressive seagulls are a health and safety issue, NatureScot originally refused to grant any gull management licences to businesses in Eyemouth. Instead, it told my constituents to use dogs. However, within 24 hours, NatureScot U-turned and granted two of the licence applications, apologising for the way in which those applications were handled. Will the minister, too, apologise to my constituents, who have described the gull licensing process as “soul destroying”?”
“It is painfully clear that the Scottish National Party Government does not understand the impact of energy consenting decisions on rural communities. Farmers will be listening with despair. Does the minister agree that net zero should not be achieved at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods and—[Interruption.]—the SNP Government must urgently establish the impact that new transmission infrastructure will have on the agricultural sector? Jim Fairlie: I lost the second part of Tess White’s question because of the noise from her colleagues. If I heard some of that correctly, I think that her main point is that the Scottish Government favours net zero over farming. That is simply not the case. We have shown time and again that we are working with our farming community, and we want to ensure that we achieve net zero by it working with us.”
“The Scottish Government has not had any discussions with agricultural organisations on potential changes to production costs as a result of new transmission infrastructure. Applications for new transmission infrastructure are made under the Electricity Act 1989, which includes provisions to ensure that landowners receive fair compensation where land, or rights over land, are acquired by compulsion for the development of energy infrastructure, with established legal frameworks and dispute resolution mechanisms available through the court system. Tess White: That is deeply disappointing for farmers. Following my question in April on the loss of agricultural land to the development of overhead transmission lines, Jim Fairlie had to write to the Presiding Officer admitting that he had got his answer badly wrong.”
“We provide direct support to livestock farmers— and are the only part of the UK to do so. An example of that is the Scottish suckler beef calf scheme, which pays £40 million a year directly into farmers’ pockets. New Transmission Infrastructure (Discussions with Agricultural Organisations) 3.”
“We are already seeing the impact of such measures and that direction of travel with the closure of the Scotbeef abattoir in Inverurie, which is costing 90 jobs. At this rate, it will not be net zero emissions by 2045; it will be net zero jobs. Will the minister confirm—yes or no—whether the livestock cuts that the Climate Change Committee mentions are official Government policy? Jim Fairlie: No, they are not official Government policy. The CCC’s advice is exactly that: advice. We will be setting out our response to that advice imminently. However, let me be crystal clear: we intend to meet our net zero commitments in a way that supports our vital agricultural sector and our wider rural economy. Our livestock sector is a critical part of that, and this Government has no policy to reduce livestock.”
“The Scottish Government does not have any policy on culling livestock or mandating reductions in meat consumption. We recognise the vital role that livestock farming plays in supporting rural economies, food security and Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage. Our approach is to support farmers and crofters to produce high- quality food sustainably. Meat is a good source of protein with a number of micronutrients and can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Stephen Kerr: I seek further confirmation from the minister on the policy position that he just mentioned. The United Kingdom Climate Change Committee has said that nearly half of the emissions reductions in Scotland by 2035 will come from cutting livestock numbers by 26 per cent.”
“Amendment 63 agreed to. Amendment 64 moved—[Ross Greer]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 64 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 91, Against 13, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 59 agreed to. Section 30—Power for Scottish Ministers to give guidance Amendment 60 not moved. Section 30B—Financial assistance for the promotion etc of the Scots language Amendment 61 moved—[Kate Forbes]—and agreed to. Section 31—Scots language education in schools Amendment 62 moved—[Ross Greer]—and agreed to. After section 33 Amendment 63 moved—[Ross Greer]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 63 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Clare Adamson: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect to the system, but I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Adamson. Your vote will be recorded.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Fairlie. Your vote will be recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Rona Mackay] Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 83, Against 15, Abstentions 0.”
“Jim Fairlie: I take Claire Baker’s point that there was a view to getting out the guidance sooner. We focused on getting the franchising legislation through, which has taken up considerable time. The guidance still has to go through the internal review process, and we still have to have discussions with all the stakeholders and people who will be affected by it. We will get it done and, as soon as we have done so, I will present it to the NZET Committee, and it will be there for further scrutiny.”
“Claire Baker: I thank the minister for his response, but I am disappointed because the Government previously committed to issuing the guidance by the end of last year. Six months on from that deadline, we are still waiting, and, given the minister’s explanation this afternoon, we can expect to be waiting quite a while longer before we reach the final stage. The length of time required for and the complexity of the overall franchising process in Scotland has been raised as a concern. In comparison with other parts of the UK, the process in Scotland is much longer and has additional requirements. Is the Scottish Government considering ways in which to speed up and simplify the process? Have lessons been learned from elsewhere, including on the potential removal of technical barriers?”
“I confirm that the guidance is undergoing internal review prior to final engagement on the franchising process with key parties, including the Competition and Markets Authority and the office of the traffic commissioner for Scotland. Once that process is completed, and prior to the finalisation of the formal publication, it is my intention to share the draft guidance with the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, along with the affected parties, including local transport authorities, regional transport partnerships and operators’ representatives. The final timescales for publication will depend on the capacity of those stakeholders to consider and engage with the draft document.”
“I take on board his point about the job losses that there could well be. My hope is that provision will be made available as the process between Stagecoach and Dumfries and Galloway Council goes on. It is for local authorities to decide how they spend their funding, but the Scottish Government spends about £2 billion a year on supporting transport.”
“Finlay Carson: Given the essential role that buses play in rural communities such as Galloway and West Dumfries, what urgent steps will the minister take to address the collapse of services and potential job losses following the withdrawal of Stagecoach? Current funding models such as the network support grant and the concessionary fare schemes fail to meet the unique needs of rural authorities. Will the minister consider reforming those models, including by directly funding bodies such as the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership, to better support local transport and unlock wider social and economic benefits? Jim Fairlie: I absolutely accept the point that Finlay Carson has made, but the local authority is the body that is responsible for providing bus services in his area.”
“The Scottish Government fully recognises the vital role that transport plays in our rural communities. We spend more than £2 billion annually to support public transport across Scotland. That includes direct support to operators and local authorities to help to extend the transport network, alongside initiatives to make transport more affordable for passengers, such as the national concessionary travel schemes. We continue to support the provision of services in rural areas through the network support grant, the bus powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 and funding for the Community Transport Association Scotland, which supports local community transport operators.”
“I add that the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 gives the local authority the powers to do the things that he is asking about, because they are local authority issues.”
“Is the Scottish Government willing today to commit to a full root-and-branch review of rural bus services, which will look in particular at contingency planning, so that no one in Scotland is treated as a second-class citizen when industrial action takes away their only method of transport? Jim Fairlie: Jamie Greene raises a number of questions. He asked whether I have spoken to Stagecoach or the unions. No, I have not, for the simple reason that we would not intervene in a commercial matter. The member asked what more we could do. I remind him that, when he was sitting on the Conservative benches, he was a member of the party that deregulated the bus market in the first place, and that has allowed commercial considerations to be part of the conversation.”
“The unions and the bus companies must get together to find a resolution sooner rather than later for the passengers who are affected. Jamie Greene: Has the minister spoken to Unite the Union or Stagecoach in the past three days? I would be keen to hear an update on that in response to my supplementary question. There is a much wider and more problematic issue here. It should simply not be the case that, in Scotland in 2025, entire communities can be cut off completely from public transport because of industrial action in a single bus company. Rural communities in particular expect and deserve more reliable services, better connectivity and more resilience in public transport.”
“Many people have sympathy with the drivers and believe that they should get a fair deal on pay. Equally, some people in my part of the world are now housebound because there is no public transport. That includes, in particular, people who do not have cars, who live in rural communities, who are on low incomes or who have disabilities. One or two days of striking here and there is one thing, but six weeks is another. More than 30 services have been cancelled. Although the dispute is a private matter between the two parties, public connectivity is not. What is the Government doing to help to resolve the issue? Jim Fairlie: I absolutely take on board Jamie Greene’s point about the impact that the strike is having. However, I reiterate that this is about a private company in a deregulated market.”
“The majority of bus services in Scotland are operated on a commercial basis by private bus companies in the open, deregulated market. The Scottish ministers cannot intervene in commercial matters. However, I encourage Stagecoach West and the unions to work together to resolve the issue as soon as possible and limit the impact on the passengers who are affected by it. For the duration of the industrial action, Stagecoach will operate a limited service with the drivers who are available to it, so passengers are encouraged to check the latest timetables online. Jamie Greene: The problem is that the issue is not coming to any resolution. Anyone who saw the news last night will have seen that it is the elderly and vulnerable across the west of Scotland who are suffering, through no fault of their own.”
“However, if Mr Ross wishes me to convey his message to Fiona Hyslop, I will endeavour to do so. Creative Scotland 7.”
“I attempted to ask a question on the matter at First Minister’s question time about a month ago, but it was not selected because of the demands that the Presiding Officer has to deal with. The issue has now been on-going in Keith for almost a year. I have asked twice for the Cabinet Secretary for Transport to come to Keith and hear from residents and businesses there about the impact that the road works are having. Will the minister, to whom I presented a petition on the issue back in December 2024, make the strongest possible representation to Fiona Hyslop that she should come to Keith to hear about what has been happening in the town as a result of those long on- going works? Jim Fairlie: I am slightly confused, because I thought that the question was about the workings of parliamentary business.”
“At this time there are no plans to propose a Scottish Government debate or statement on the issue. As the member knows, any proposals for Government business in the Parliament are subject to consideration by the Parliamentary Bureau and then approval by the Parliament. Chamber time is limited in the coming weeks, but there are many other routes to scrutinise the activities of the Government. Those include asking general questions, transport portfolio questions and topical questions. Douglas Ross: The minister will be aware that I have tried to ask supplementaries to transport questions, but there have been no opportunities to do so, for understandable reasons.”
“Jim Fairlie: I will have a summit later this year to discuss with members and the people who are raising those issues how we can control the birds in the way that we need to, without damaging the population. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will take a supplementary question, but I ask members to listen to the questions and then also the responses.”
“Jim Fairlie: I absolutely accept that there are areas where gulls are causing a problem in relation to public health and safety. As the member is well aware, NatureScot can issue the licences only on the basis of public health and safety issues, and not nuisance issues. Douglas Ross: It is a public health and safety issue. Jim Fairlie: That is the fundamental point that we are trying to get across—[Interruption.] If members want to listen— Members: Oh! Jim Fairlie: I have told them on a number of occasions that I am prepared to intervene when there is an area that needs to be looked at right away. Then, I will have a summit next year— [Interruption.] Douglas Ross: Next year!”
“On Monday, I received a response to a freedom of information request asking for the most common reason that licence applications for gull management are refused. NatureScot says that it is because the applicant does not demonstrate that gulls are posing a risk to public health or safety. That is utter rubbish. I know the people who are putting in those applications, and they are at the end of their tether. Those birds are causing significant worry, they are physically damaging individuals, and they are putting people off going into certain businesses because of their behaviour. Will the minister finally get a grip on NatureScot and tell it to start delivering for those communities by approving those licences, so that we can get some control over gulls in our areas?”
“NatureScot considers and respects the views of local people and businesses, which can vary widely, when considering licence applications to control gulls. However, NatureScot can issue a licence only in accordance with the law. I recently met stakeholders to discuss how we can minimise gull impact; the conclusion was that further actions would be taken this year by NatureScot to deal with the immediate problem. I have also agreed to chair a summit of key partners later this year to put measures in place in relation to preventing those issues from arising again next year. Douglas Ross: I am sorry, minister, but NatureScot does not respect the views of local people and businesses. It ignores the views of local people and businesses.”
“Jim Fairlie: The red tape that increased costs to businesses has hit Scotland’s trade with our largest international export market. Scotland’s rural economy bore much of the impact of the loss of EU funding, new barriers to trade and reduced access to labour. The Government’s own figures show that the deal will add £9.9 billion to UK national income by 2040, which is just 0.2 per cent of gross domestic product. The loss of GDP caused by Brexit is estimated to be 20 times that, at 4 per cent of GDP, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. There is no good deal in this for Scotland without being an independent member of the EU, which would give us unfettered access to the markets that we are looking to be part of. NatureScot (Seagull Control Licensing) 8.”
“As a start, if the UK Government was serious about addressing the scale of the damage done by Brexit, it would immediately discard its self- defeating red lines on a single market, a customs union and freedom of movement with our European neighbours. Further, given how much the actual implementation of the agreement will require devolved competencies, the UK Government’s first action should be to engage proactively with the devolved Governments, including here in Scotland. David Torrance: Although the agreement, which goes some way to improving some of the harms of Brexit, has to be welcomed, will the minister highlight for members how remaining outside the single market and the customs union, and without freedom of movement, continues to damage the interests of our rural economy?”
“We very much welcome the UK Government’s attempt to rebuild relations with the EU following what can only be described as the disastrous hard Brexit that the people of Scotland never voted for. We have unceasingly called for an improved relationship and although the UK-EU summit has been unnecessarily constrained by the UK Government’s self-imposed red lines, it is a step in the right direction. Many of the details of the agreement are still to be negotiated, never mind actually implemented. Meanwhile, the effects of Brexit, including on our rural and island economy and communities in Scotland, continue to make any sense of congratulation wildly premature.”
“Police Scotland will ask its wildlife crime officers to proactively patrol their divisional coastlines in the summer months, engaging with and educating the public and enforcing the legislation that has been introduced to protect our sea life. That proactive engagement will be made with boat and tour operators and with members of the public who engage in seaside recreational activity, to ensure that they are adhering to the relevant legislation.”
“Although many visitors are respectful towards wildlife, some remain unaware that their behaviour or conduct might negatively impact on the animals, and it could result in their committing a wildlife crime. For example, in a recent reported incident, a couple walking their dogs disturbed seals, causing panic and distress for the seals— which sought refuge in the sea—which could potentially cause them harm. Further to the minister’s response, what more can the Scottish Government do to ensure that the public are fully aware of the risk of inadvertently committing wildlife offences? Will it consider holding further public awareness campaigns over the summer months? Jim Fairlie: As I said, operation seabird is a national operation focused on deterring the disturbance of marine wildlife across UK coastlines.”
“The Scottish Government works with a number of partners to raise awareness of wildlife crime, and Scotland is part of operation seabird, a police-led operation that focuses on deterring the disturbance of marine wildlife across coastlines in the United Kingdom. Police Scotland wildlife crime officers will proactively patrol coastlines in the summer months, engaging with and educating the public and recreational tour operators as well as enforcing legislation that has been introduced to protect our sea life. If a member of the public is concerned that they have seen someone commit a crime, they should contact Police Scotland. Roz McCall: Tentsmuir nature reserve in my region welcomes a huge number of visitors every year.”
“The legislation that was passed on the issue included a threshold of 40cm. A number of tools are being used to gauge the difference between the 40cm and 50cm thresholds. As I said, I will meet members of the muirburn code working group next week, and those issues will be raised and aired then.”
“Eight organisations that represent various opinions on the matter, including Scottish Land & Estates, NFU Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, have written to the minister on two occasions, and have proposed good-faith solutions to help to ease the burden that is associated with surveying land for peat depth. Current survey requirements define peatlands as areas where peat is deeper than 40cm, but no national data exists on that 40cm threshold, thereby rendering the peatland maps that NatureScot produces completely meaningless. Will the minister urgently consider temporarily amending the definition of peatlands to reflect a peat depth threshold of 50cm, which would considerably assist land managers? Jim Fairlie: Clearly, we are in the early stages of this process.”
“NatureScot has been working closely with stakeholders through the muirburn code working group to ensure that their concerns have been accounted for in the development of the muirburn code and the licensing scheme. On 4 June, I am due to meet stakeholders who represent the muirburn code working group and are concerned about the content of, and conditions in, the code and the associated licensing framework. Although I understand that some stakeholders have concerns, the code and the associated licensing framework have been introduced to ensure that muirburn is undertaken in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner. Murdo Fraser: It is now very clear that NatureScot’s approach to muirburn licensing is unworkable and is causing serious concern among stakeholder groups.”
“There is still work to be done there, but it is a very important piece of work that should continue. The other piece of work that has been really valuable has been on improving engagement between Government and the stalkers. Those voices are the most important but are sometimes the least heard, and I am grateful to the Common Ground Forum for its work on that issue. I have also been particularly impressed by the forum’s focus on issues of commonality—for example, on venison, which a number of members have talked about. There are shared opportunities that we can benefit from in deer management and in recognising that we have a very good resource in the wild deer population, regardless of why we are managing it. Venison is one of those excellent opportunities.”
“Understandably, there is a broad range of views on how it is best done. In the past, those differences have sometimes led to fractured relationships and a focus on opposing views rather than on the shared interest of those involved. I am incredibly pleased by the work that has been done across the sector to change that and to come together through the Common Ground Forum, with the support of the Centre for Good Relations—and I very much welcome the gentleman from the Centre for Good Relations who is here tonight. In December 2024, the Common Ground Forum published a review of its progress. I recognise that there are two important pieces of work on that engagement. One of the Common Ground Forum’s areas of focus has been improving the opportunities for young stalkers and women in stalking to be represented and to have their views heard.”
“Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to go out stalking on the Glenfalloch estate with the people who manage the deer there, as well as with representatives of the Association of Deer Management Groups. It was an amazing experience and a great opportunity to see at first hand some of the excellent deer management that is going on across Scotland. It was also an opportunity to hear from people who are involved in finding common ground with regard to improving deer management relationships across Scotland. Elena Whitham said earlier that she hoped that the forum would be obsolete in two or three years. I do hope not, because it will allow us to have continuous engagement on all the issues that we will face in the future. Deer management is a vital part of land management, and it is carried out for a wide range of purposes.”
“I genuinely thank the members who have participated in today’s debate. If I have time, I will try to get through some of the points that they have raised. I especially thank Elena Whitham for securing this very useful debate. Before I get into the detail of the discussion, I want to take a moment to recognise the excellent work that is carried out every year by our land managers, gamekeepers and stalkers in managing deer, and to congratulate the forum on its award, proving, in my opinion, that even the trickiest of issues can be talked about in a way that leads to solutions. Sometimes, we forget that that is an option for us. We are fortunate in Scotland to have such a wealth of experience and expertise in those who carry out deer management in a range of often challenging circumstances.”
“The financing road map that we have published today sets out the next steps in the journey towards achieving net zero emissions by 2040, and it will move the project into a new phase of delivery. The carbon neutral islands project also confirms our islands’ credentials as places of innovation and entrepreneurialism. In fact, islands are often at the centre of Scotland’s ambitions, from the production of renewable energy to the transition to net zero and our iconic food and drink exports, which span the globe. I welcome the debate as an opportunity to reiterate the Scottish Government’s steadfast commitment to listen to the voices of those in our island communities, to work across sectors and to ensure that island communities and businesses maximise their potential to prosper. Business Motions 16:58”
“I have to mention the residents of Mull, some of whom are in the chamber today. Their issue has been raised with the cabinet secretary. It is a local authority issue, but I am pleased to say that Jenni Minto has agreed to meet them and is organising a round-table meeting to discuss the issue. Listening to the voices of our island communities, with their knowledge and insights, must be our guiding principle. Therefore, I am very encouraged with the progress made in the implementation of the carbon neutral islands project. It offers an example of the results that will be achieved when communities are empowered to take action in a way that is efficient and appropriate to local circumstances.”