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.”
The complete record
Every one of 663 lines we hold for Jim Fairlie, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 14.
“For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-21049, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s eighth report in 2026, in session 6, is: For 104, Against 2, Abstentions 0.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 4th Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order Rule changes - Related to Gender Sensitive Audit recommendations on Parliamentary Bureau Membership, Election of Presiding Officer/Deputy Presiding Officers and SPCB Membership (SP Paper 978), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annex A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The final question is, that motion S6M-21049, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s eighth report in 2026, in session 6, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21053, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s third report in 2026, in session 6, be agreed to. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 3rd Report, 2026 (Session 6), Standing Order rule changes arising from the Committee’s report ‘Strengthening committees’ effectiveness’ (SP Paper 977), and agrees that the changes to Standing Orders set out in Annex A of the report be made with effect from 11 May 2026. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21052, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s fourth report in 2026, in session 6, be agreed to.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament, recognising that the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (the SPCB) carried out a review of the Party Leaders’ Allowances Scheme approved by Resolution of the Parliament of 21 March 2002— (a) in exercise of the powers conferred by section 81(2), (5)(b) and 85(5) of the Scotland Act 1998— (i) confers functions on the SPCB to reimburse party leaders in respect of expenses and cost incurred in each financial year in accordance with the Party Leaders’ Expenses Scheme (the Scheme) annexed as Annex 1 to this Resolution and confers other functions on the SPCB as specified in the Scheme; (ii) determines that the various limits on expenses or costs under the Scheme are as set out in the Scheme annexed to this Resolution and that such limits are applicable until the SPCB exercises its power under the Scheme to uprate or vary them; (iii) confers other functions on the SPCB as specified in the Scheme; and (iv) approves the Scheme; (b) determines that the Scheme shall come into effect on 8 May 2026(c) rescinds, with effect from 8 May 2026, any previous resolution of the Parliament in relation to party leader expenses.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-21144, in the name of Jackson Carlaw, on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, on the party leaders’ expenses scheme resolution, be agreed to.”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament, recognising that the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (the SPCB) carried out a review of the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme approved by Resolution of the Parliament of 2 March 2021— (a) in exercise of the powers conferred by section 81(2), (5)(b) and 85(5) of the Scotland Act 1998— (i) confers functions on the SPCB to reimburse members in respect of expenses and cost incurred in each financial year in accordance with the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme (the Scheme) annexed as Annex 1 to this Resolution and confers other functions on the SPCB as specified in the Scheme; (ii) determines that the various limits on expenses or costs under the Scheme are as set out in the Schedule of Rates annexed as Annex 2 to this Resolution and that such limits are applicable until the SPCB exercises its power under the Scheme to uprate or vary them; (iii) confers other functions on the SPCB as specified in the Scheme; and (iv) approves the Scheme; (b) determines that the Scheme shall come into effect on 8 May 2026; (c) rescinds, with effect from 8 May 2026, the Resolution of the Parliament of 2 March 2021 (and as last amended).”
“Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees that the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill be passed. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill is passed. [Applause.] I think that the diplomatic veil is being stretched to destruction. The next question is, that motion S6M-21143, in the name of Jackson Carlaw, on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, on the reimbursement of members’ expenses scheme resolution, be agreed to.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Fairlie. I will ensure that that is recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division on motion S6M-21102, in the name of Natalie Don-Innes, on the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, is: For 111, Against 0, Abstentions 0.”
“Similarly, I am happy to support Rhoda Grant’s amendment 42, which will help to provide valuable guidance to crofters on how the Crofting Commission will assess applications for consent to be absent. I meet regularly with the Crofting Commission’s chief executive officer and chair, and I welcome their commitment to providing interim policy guidance on that and other issues. Such guidance is already available on their website. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Rhoda Grant to speak to amendment 38 and other amendments in the group.”
“My amendments 3 and 4 will ensure that all appeals under section 26K of the 1993 act are subject to the same rules, including the 42-day time limit, and the same statutory grounds of appeal. My amendment 25 will simply reinstate the existing position so that the new duties notice can be sent by ordinary post to crofters and owner- occupier crofters. I turn to Rhoda Grant’s amendments 38 to 41, all of which I am happy to support. In my many discussions with crofters and stakeholders, I have heard real concerns that some new owner- occupier crofters are not fully aware of their duties before they take on their croft. That is why I have been happy to work with Rhoda Grant on these amendments.”
“I am delighted to support Beatrice Wishart’s final amendment, and, as that might be her final contribution, I would like to say that it has been an absolute pleasure to work with her. She has been an outstanding servant to her constituents, and we will miss her greatly in the next parliamentary session. [Applause.] I support amendment 1 because it is important that the bill is clear that the flexibility that it offers for satisfying the duties applies equally to owner- occupier crofters. I turn to my amendments. Amendment 2 will close a loophole that would have allowed someone who had been served a suspected breach of duty notice to submit an assignation application for the sole purpose of preventing the Crofting Commission from putting their other regulatory applications on hold. Amendment 2 will prevent that from happening.”
“Amendment 32 will make it clear that section 7 is a local interpretation section for the purposes of chapter 1, in which it is placed. The definitions in that section will apply only in respect of the provisions in that chapter. Amendment 89 will create an interpretation section that is applicable to the whole bill, which will make it clear that the definition of “child” applies to the whole bill. 17:00 Amendments 42 and 87 will ensure that all the regulation-making powers sit together under section 24, with amendment 43 being consequential to amendment 42. Amendment 90 will ensure that, where a provision in the act refers to a day on which a section comes into force, ministers may specify the date. All the amendments seek to maximise accessibility and enhance clarity and coherence across the bill as a whole. I move amendment 28.”
“Amendment 111 disagreed to. The Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if amendment 23 is agreed to, I cannot call amendments 112 to 115 due to pre-emption. Amendment 23 moved—[Natalie Don-Innes]— and agreed to. Amendments 116, 24 and 117 moved—[Jeremy Balfour]—and agreed to. Amendments 25 to 27 moved—[Natalie Don- Innes]—and agreed to. The Presiding Officer: Group 7 is entitled “Structure of Act”. Amendment 28, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 30 to 32, 34, 42, 43, 87, 89 and 90. Natalie Don-Innes: All amendments in this group are technical in nature and will not change the policy intent of any of the bill’s provisions. Amendments 28, 30, 31 and 34 will reorder the sections of the bill so that its free-standing sections, including a local interpretation section, are placed together in chapter 1 of part 1.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Against 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central 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) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) 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) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (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) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 16, Against 94, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 22 agreed to. Amendment 111 moved—[Martin Whitfield]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 111 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Stephen (Central 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) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) 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) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (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 Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Abstentions Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 92, Against 1, Abstentions 16.”
“Amendment 21 agreed to. Amendment 22 moved—[Natalie Don-Innes]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 22 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Fairlie. 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) 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) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central 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) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (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) (Ind) 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) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (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 Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Abstentions Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 94, Against 1, Abstentions 15.”
“I do not doubt the dedication and devotion of those people to their dogs, but the evidence shows the welfare case for banning racing on oval tracks. That is why we support the bill. Deputy Presiding Officer, members’ bills such as this can—as you well know—achieve a great deal in the Parliament when people work together on important matters for the benefit of Scotland’s people, communities and, in this case, greyhounds. I note that there is a lot of public support for the bill. A petition to ban greyhound racing is the most- signed petition in the Parliament’s history, and the Scottish Government therefore fully supports the bill. 15:10”
“As Mark Ruskell said, the Welsh Senedd last night passed its bill, which will implement a complete ban on greyhound racing in Wales. That shows that the issue is being discussed not just in Scotland but in many areas of the world. However, I stress that there are points of difference between the two bills, including the fact that the Welsh bill prohibits racing on all types of track, whereas the bill that we are considering is focused on oval tracks only, in response to the particular risks that are posed by such tracks. We are very mindful of the implications for the individuals and communities that are connected with greyhound racing in Scotland—in particular, those who are involved with the Thornton track in Fife.”
“As I stated previously, previous studies have shown that an oval track design is a key factor in injuries and deaths, due to the combination of bends and the speeds at which racing dogs enter the bends, and that those risks cannot be fully mitigated. Similar concerns are echoed by animal welfare organisations and veterinary reviews, which point to thousands of recorded injuries and numerous fatalities each year linked to the racing conditions internationally. Taken together, the evidence demonstrates that greyhound racing, as currently practised on oval tracks, exposes dogs to significant risks that cannot be eliminated by other measures. That gives me confidence that the bill is a rational and proportionate measure and that there is a sufficient welfare justification for supporting it.”
“That process led to the changes that were made at stage 2 and to the creation of a bill that puts in place safeguards for the benefit of all greyhounds. I remind the Parliament that, when the bill was first introduced, the Government adopted a neutral position. At that stage, the proposal sought to prohibit all greyhound racing in Scotland. The bill that is now at stage 3 is more focused in scope, in that it seeks specifically to prohibit the racing of greyhounds on oval tracks. Having carefully considered the evidence, the Scottish Government considers that the bill addresses the inherent welfare risks associated with running dogs at speed on oval tracks—risks that, even with good practice, cannot be eliminated. Therefore, the Government supports the bill.”
“As the lead minister for the bill, I thank Mark Ruskell for his constructive and collaborative approach in bringing this important bill to the Parliament. A member’s bill does not reach this stage without a significant commitment and a great deal of effort. I know how much work Mr Ruskell has put into the bill throughout its stages in this parliamentary session. I commend the hard work undertaken by the Parliament’s non-Government bills unit in supporting Mr Ruskell with the bill, as well as that of my officials, the policy officials and all the parliamentary staff in getting us to this stage. I also thank the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee for its role in hearing evidence and producing helpful recommendations at stage 1, which we considered carefully.”
“Amendment 198 agreed to. Amendment 199 moved—[Ross Greer]. The Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 199 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I voted no. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Fairlie. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) 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) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) 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) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 68, Against 48, Abstentions 2.”
“I, too, am from a rural constituency, and I genuinely appreciate the vital role that local bus services play in rural communities and the importance of reliable services for commuters in Banffshire, Buchan and all the rural communities in Scotland. The traffic commissioner for Scotland is responsible for enforcing service reliability in line with the operator’s registration. Through legislation, we have given local transport authorities powers to take action to improve the services in their area, whether through partnership working, franchising or running their own services. We want all local transport authorities, including rural and coastal authorities, to explore the powers that are available to them and make the necessary improvements that they see fit.”
“Karen Adam: A survey that I recently carried out in my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast showed extremely low satisfaction with the local Stagecoach bus services, because of repeated cancellations, poor communication and concerns about accessibility. Many people told me that the service was simply not reliable enough for work, education or healthcare appointments. What further action can the Government take to ensure that operators that are delivering services in rural areas meet acceptable standards of reliability and that communities such as mine are not left behind? Jim Fairlie: I appreciate the point that Karen Adam makes.”
“I very much welcome that question from Karen Adam, because the Scottish Government is absolutely committed, in partnership with operators and local authorities, to looking at ways of ensuring that everyone has accessible public transport, regardless of where they live. On the substantive point, in 2026-27, we will continue to provide financial support for bus services with £46.5 million for the network support grant, and we will launch a further round of the very successful plugged-in communities grant funding. We have also commenced a £10 million regional pilot for a £2 bus fare cap, which will be rolled out in the Highlands and Moray from 23 March 2026. That will allow us to assess the potential to improve connectivity in rural areas.”
“We want to create a deterrent that stops people behaving in an unacceptable way. That is surely the best possible outcome.”
“At its core is a focus on the behaviours that have the most significant impact on passengers, drivers and the safety of the bus journey. A phased approach is being taken to the implementation to ensure that a fair and robust process is established. That will take into account a range of issues that I know concern colleagues, including business impacts, child wellbeing and poverty considerations and impacts on older and disabled people. The approach will also take into account any operational issues as they emerge. There has been substantial engagement with internal and external stakeholders as part of the policy. Legislation and procedures in this approach will continue, with published impact assessments being updated as appropriate. Our goal is to make the bus network safer.”
“The programme for government for 2025-26 set out a commitment to suspend and withdraw free travel from anyone who does not act responsibly on Scotland’s buses. The SSI is an important step in delivering that commitment. It secures the enabling power for the policy and provides the basis for the on-going work with operators and partners to finalise the supporting administrative procedures. The policy will apply to all national concessionary travel schemes, recognising that people of any age can engage in unacceptable behaviour. It will be backed by a code of conduct that will set out clear standards for respectful behaviour and a code focusing on behaviours that hurt or threaten others or damage or disrupt the bus.”
“When I raise the issue, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government simply say that a voucher covers a pod or a chair, but that consistently fails to recognise that those with concessionary vouchers often have the greatest need to lie flat for a 14-hour voyage on the North Sea. There is so much more that I could say on ferries, but time is not on my side. To conclude: islanders are not asking for special favours. To meet lifeline needs, they must have reliable ferry services. 16:26”
“The nebulous comment that it relates to safety does not hold up to scrutiny, given both the concerns raised about the behaviour of some passengers in the communal sleeping areas and the acknowledgement, and seemingly tacit approval, by ministers, the operator and Transport Scotland of social media pages for passengers to arrange shared cabins themselves, thereby ensuring that any operator liability for that arrangement is negated. The removal of shared cabins is a troubling indictment of the lack of consideration for and understanding of the needs of those who rely on the service. Islanders in receipt of concessionary vouchers for two free return journeys have, in essence, had their entitlement halved as a consequence of the change of the shared cabin policy.”
“Will the member take an intervention on that point? Beatrice Wishart: I have no time—sorry. A prior long-standing policy of allowing sharing of cabins offered many people a cheaper, more comfortable way to travel. However, that was initially suspended due to Covid-19, and it never returned. Its removal is continually raised by my constituents, and I have repeatedly put the issue to the Scottish Government. I have never received a satisfactory answer as to why the change became permanent. No consultation took place with the community.”
“There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business to allow for a changeover of front-bench teams. Health and Social Care Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership 1.”
“Jim Fairlie: I should say first, in response to Christine Grahame’s point, that the scheme was hugely oversubscribed because that very generous package offered 100 per cent grants. However, as I stated in my response to Willie Rennie, we are carefully reviewing the scheme and will engage with industry stakeholders to discuss how it could be further optimised. If we had something wrong in how the scheme was laid out and how people were interacting with it, we will look at that. We will engage with stakeholders to ensure that the views from across the sector are taken into consideration. Details of the next round will be announced once the necessary stakeholder engagement has taken place. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes portfolio questions on rural affairs, land reform and islands.”
“A detailed assessment document explaining eligibility, verification, scoring and ranking for the 2025 round was published on the rural payments and inspections division website on 19 December 2025. Applicants may request further clarification of the outcome of their FFIS application by contacting the FFIS team. Christine Grahame: I am glad that something has been published, because, as the minister knows, more than 5,000 people applied in 2025 but there was a 70 per cent rejection rate. Although this is an excellent scheme, the minister will know that it will, yet again, be oversubscribed. Something must be going wrong. I ask the minister to consider testing out any draft guidance to see whether it does what it says on the tin.”
“Last time round, many people spent a lot of time filling in applications, and that time was considered to have been wasted. Jim Fairlie: First, crofting has a range of specific schemes that crofters can make applications to. Secondly, on the future farming investment scheme, we are still working out why people did not pick up the information that they needed to pick up and why it was not clear enough to them, despite the fact that the information about what should have been included when making the applications was in the guidance. We will work out how to make that simpler for people and, once we have completed that work, we will bring the scheme forward.”
“The First Minister announced that the Scottish Government has allocated another £14.25 million to a second round of the future farming investment scheme for the 2026-27 financial year. That builds on the £21.4m that was delivered through the first round of FFIS. The application date for the next round has not yet been set. We are carefully reviewing the scheme and will engage with industry stakeholders to discuss how the scheme could be improved upon. Willie Rennie: I hope that the Government is carefully reviewing the scheme, because many in the sector, particularly crofters and tenant farmers, feel that they were badly let down. What is the Government going to change and improve this time round to make sure that the outcome for those people will be what is advised?”
“Expanding Scotland’s deer management capacity will be essential to supporting a sustainable venison supply chain to ensure that rural communities benefit from new business, employment and training opportunities. Reducing overgrazing pressure from deer will lower losses to forestry and agriculture, improve woodland regeneration and, importantly, help to reduce road traffic collisions, which Gordon MacDonald mentioned, and their associated economic costs to rural areas. If we want healthy communities, sustainable food production and vibrant rural industries in the future, we have to invest now in thriving ecosystems and in the skilled workforce that is required to manage them.”
“Deer are now so numerous that, even in my constituency of Edinburgh Pentlands, there are regular near misses as deer run across the A70. With an improved deer management scheme and a venison plan helping to create more business opportunities, what could the impact be on the rural economy? Jim Fairlie: The improved deer management legislative framework and strengthened regulatory powers that were introduced through the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill will deliver opportunities for rural communities and create significant demand for skilled workers who are able to carry out the increased management that is needed and to support nature restoration.”
“Good, sustainable deer management is integral to our effectiveness in addressing biodiversity loss and protecting and restoring the natural environment. That is why we brought forward reforms to the deer legislation through the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill and will develop a national deer management plan in collaboration with the sector that addresses the barriers to managing deer across Scotland. We continue to trial incentive schemes and we will work closely with the venison sector in developing those further. It is about achieving a balance, and our work on deer management is supported and underpinned by the objectives that are included in the Scottish biodiversity strategy. Gordon MacDonald: Deer numbers have doubled since the 1990s and the population is estimated to be close to 1 million.”
“We can look at the matter once we get to the end of the review period and we publish the results of the review. The member asked about shooting ptarmigan in August. The season for ptarmigan is from 11 August to 11 December—it is a short open season. There is no need to ban the shooting of ptarmigan right now, because there is no shooting going on. We will publish the review and, once we have done so, we will decide what to do next. Deer Management 5.”
“The Scottish, Welsh and UK Governments are currently working on a draft joint consultation document, which will include proposed changes following our consideration of NatureScot’s assessment of the bird species listed in schedule 2 to the 1981 act. We expect to publish the consultation document over the coming weeks once it has been finalised, alongside NatureScot’s report. John Mason: Maybe the minister can correct me if I am wrong, but we do not know how many ptarmigan there are, and we do not know how many are being killed. There are no ptarmigan in England and no ptarmigan in Wales. This is a Scottish problem. Is the minister happy that ptarmigan get shot in August? Jim Fairlie: We are currently carrying out the review. We have had this debate for a number of years, now.”
“Finally—if the Deputy Presiding Officer will allow me just one second—I wish our sheep shearers Gavin Mutch, Hamish Mitchell, Katie O’Sullivan, Rosie Keenan, Willie Craig and Murray Craig, who are currently competing in the New Zealand golden shears competition, all the very best of luck.”
“We will continue to work with NatureScot, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and any other organisation, including NFUS and Ramblers Scotland, to raise awareness of this important issue. Following a stakeholder summit in 2024, we established the expert advisory group on dog control and dog welfare, comprising key stakeholders, to make recommendations on a number of issues relating to dog control. The group has established a number of sub-groups focusing on specific topics, including one on prevention, education and communication.”
“Will he commit to working with key organisations such as those that I mentioned to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and of the consequences of not doing the right thing? Jim Fairlie: Bob Doris is absolutely correct and, as I said, I am delighted that he has brought the subject up, in particular as we go into lambing season. The worrying of livestock by dogs is completely unacceptable, and we, as a Government, take it very seriously. We know that it is a particular problem as we go into the lambing season, and the Scottish outdoor access code sets out how to exercise rights and responsibilities when walking dogs in the countryside.”
“Education is a key factor in prevention of livestock worrying incidents and the associated unnecessary suffering for all who are involved. Messaging is promoted widely on social media by NatureScot as part of on-going communication campaigns to promote responsible behaviour for dog owners. Bob Doris: Does the minister agree with me about the importance of awareness raising, given the serious welfare impacts, in particular for sheep at lambing time around this time of year? Does he agree that there is a need to emphasise the shared interests of stakeholders such as NFU Scotland and Ramblers Scotland in enhanced education and engagement with the public on access rights and responsibilities?”
“I very much thank Bob Doris for raising this issue, because the Scottish Government clearly recognises the distress and the serious welfare and financial implications of livestock worrying for people and for the stock. The Scottish Government supported the introduction of legislation to address those issues. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 gained royal assent on 5 May 2021 and came into force on 5 November 2021. Under the 2021 act, owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or face a prison sentence of up to 12 months. The small minority who do not treat livestock with respect and care must be held accountable, and consequences must appropriately reflect the severity of their crime.”
“I am pleased that, as part of the Scottish budget, we are investing £4 million to support local transport authorities to build business cases for bus improvement through franchising. We will develop appropriate governance arrangements and details on administering the fund in consultation with stakeholders, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and regional transport partnerships such as”