Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
The Bill allows the Scottish Government to provide assistance to farming and rural communities.
The Bill is at Stage 2
Contents
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill and gather views. They produce reports before MSPs debate the Bill in the Chamber. MSPs then decide on the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 27 March 2024
Committee Examination
The lead committee for this Bill is the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee
Your views
Views were gathered on the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
The call for views closed on 24 November 2023.
Timetable
The timetable that the committee followed while examining the Bill at Stage 1
Stage 1 deadline
On 29 November 2023, Parliament agreed motion S6M-11479, that consideration of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 29 March 2024.
Committee meetings
27 November
- Fact finding visit to SRUC Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Crianlarich
29 November
- Evidence from the Scottish Government bill team
6 December
- Roundtable focusing on the adoption and use of sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices
13 December
- Roundtable focusing on the production of high-quality food
20 December
- Roundtable focusing on on-farm nature restoration, climate mitigation and adaptation
31 January
- Roundtable focusing on enabling rural communities to thrive
21 February
- Evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Who spoke to the lead committee in the Parliament
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 25 October 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 1 November 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 29 November 2023
Minutes of 6 December 2023
Minutes of 13 December 2023
Minutes of 20 December 2023
Minutes of 31 January 2024
Minutes of 21 February 2024
Minutes of 6 March 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 13 March 2024 (in private)
Meeting on 29 November 2023
Engagement
On the 19 February, the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee hosted 37 land managers and community representatives from across Scotland to help inform its scrutiny of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
Read the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill Participation Workshop Report (950KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, 26 March 2024
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, 19 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum - Letter of 19 February 2024
Letter from the Convener to the Convener of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee of 19 February 2024
Work by other committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Meeting on 19 December 2023
Meeting on 23 January 2024
Report published on 26 January 2024
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Scrutiny of the Financial Memorandum
Evidence session on 6 February 2024 (Read the Official Report)
Committee report
The lead committee published its stage 1 report on 18 March 2024.
Stage 1 report on the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
The lead committee received the following response to its Stage 1 Report on 26 March 2024.
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
Debate
MSPs debate the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
Meeting on 27 March 2024
Read the minutes of proceedings (211KB, pdf) posted 27 March 2024
Vote
MSPs vote on the general principles of the Bill.
Meeting on 27 March 2024
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
- Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 12 February 2024
- Motion reference: S6M-12111
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 27 March 2024
Result 89 for, 0 against, 31 abstained, 9 did not vote Vote Passed
Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 25 March 2024
- Motion reference: S6M-12640
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 27 March 2024