Minutes: 21 May 2025

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence from—

Jacqueline Cook , Planning and Development Committee Vice Chair, Scottish Property Federation;

Sarah Cowie, Senior Policy Manager Climate, Land and Business, National Farmers Union Scotland;

Emily Johns, Nature Strategy Manager, SSEN Transmission;

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive, Confor;

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation;

Dr Caroline McParland, Vice President for Scotland, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management;

Stephen Young, Director of Policy, Scottish Land and Estates;

Jenny Munro, Policy and Practice Officer, Royal Town Planning Institute.

3. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Maurice Golden, Member in Charge of the Bill, supported by Ezgi Denli, Solicitor, Legal Services and Neil Stewart, Senior Clerk, Non-Government Bills Unit, Scottish Parliament.

4. Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

5. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.

6. Annual report (in private):

The Committee considered a draft annual report for the parliamentary year from 13 May 2024 to 12 May 2025. The report was agreed for publication.