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Chamber and committees

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

The Committee focuses on areas including:

  • rural land use, including forestry, farming and crofting
  • food and drink supply chain
  • animal welfare and wildlife crime
  • fisheries and aquaculture
  • issues relevant to the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 

The Committee's name changed from Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee to Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 1 February 2023. 

Next meeting of the committee

Start time: 9:00am, Wednesday 11 June 2025

Location: T4.40-CR2 The Fairfax Somerville Room

Agenda:

  1. Decision on taking business in private
  2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
  3. Galloway and Ayrshire national park proposal
  4. Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill
  5. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private)
  6. Work programme (in private)

Dates for future meetings

The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee usually meets weekly on Wednesdays.

Previous meetings of the committee

See all meetings of the committee

Work of the Committee

Current work

Completed work

Future work

The Committee has agreed its work programme. Please note, this may be updated to reflect changing parliamentary business

Implementation of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022 

Petition PE1490: Control of wild goose numbers 

Correspondence

Correspondence

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

9 June 2025

Letter from the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, 9 June 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

UK subordinate legislation: Marking of Retail Goods Regulations 2025

6 June 2025

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, 6 June 2025

Official Reports of meetings

Official Reports of meetings

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation, Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1, Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1, Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Interests, Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill:Stage 1

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, Future Agriculture Policy, A Climate Transition for Scottish Agriculture

Reports

Committee reports

03 June 2025

Subordinate legislation considered by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 28 May 2025

This report details the Rural Affairs and Island Committee's consideration of the draft Town and Country Planning (Marine Fish Farming) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025.

29 May 2025

Annual report of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee 2024-25

The annual report of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee for the parliamentary year from 13 May 2024 to 12 May 2025.

21 March 2025

Subordinate legislation considered by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 19 March 2025

This report details the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee's consideration of the draft Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 Amendment Order 2025.

Committee Remit

To consider and report on matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, with the exception of matters relating to land reform, natural resources and peatland, Scottish Land Commission, Crown Estate Scotland, and Royal Botanic Garden.

Current Members

A photo of Finlay Carson MSP

Finlay Carson

Convener
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
A photo of Beatrice Wishart MSP

Beatrice Wishart

Deputy Convener
Scottish Liberal Democrats
A photo of Tim Eagle MSP

Tim Eagle

Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
A photo of Rhoda Grant MSP

Rhoda Grant

Member
Scottish Labour
A photo of Emma Harper MSP

Emma Harper

Member
Scottish National Party
A photo of Emma Roddick MSP

Emma Roddick

Member
Scottish National Party
A photo of Mark Ruskell MSP

Mark Ruskell

Member
Scottish Green Party
A photo of Evelyn Tweed MSP

Evelyn Tweed

Member
Scottish National Party
A photo of Elena Whitham MSP

Elena Whitham

Member
Scottish National Party

Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members

Call for views

The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is not currently seeking views on any of its current inquiries

Get in touch

If you want to get in touch, you can contact Emma Johnston, the Clerk for the committee.