Minutes: 26 November 2025

1. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Rural Support (Improvement) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (2025/draft) from—

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, supported by Emily Williams Boylston, Solicitor, John Armour, Branch Head, Livestock Production Policy and Paul Neison, Head of Mapping and Land Services, Scottish Government.

Tim Eagle declared an interest as an owner of a small sheep and arable farm in Moray.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity moved—

S6M-19325—That the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recommends that the Rural Support (Improvement) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (2025/draft) be approved.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (2025/draft) from—

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, supported by Michelle Colquhoun, Head of Livestock Products Policy and Mairead McCrossan, Lawyer, Scottish Government.

5. Subordinate legislation:

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity moved—

S6M-19530—That the Rural Affairs and islands Committee recommends that the Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 (2025/draft) be approved.

6. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee considered the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 2).

The following amendments were agreed to (by division)—

115 (For 6, Against 2, Abstentions 1)

116 (For 6, Against 2, Abstentions 1)

196 (For 4, Against 4, Abstentions 1; amendment agreed to on casting vote)

117 (For 6, Against 2, Abstentions 1)

57 (For 7, Against 1, Abstentions 1)

1 (For 4, Against 4, Abstentions 1; amendment agreed to on casting vote)

120 (For 6, Against 2, Abstentions 1)

121 (For 6, Against 2, Abstentions 1)

313 (For 4, Against 4, Abstentions 1; amendment agreed to on casting vote)

2 (For 5, Against 4, Abstentions 0)

3 (For 5, Against 4, Abstentions 0)

The following amendments were disagreed to (by division)—

26 (For 3, Against 6, Abstentions 0)

58 (For 1, Against 8, Abstentions 0)

198 (For 2, Against 7, Abstentions 0)

The following amendments were not moved: 5, 6, 197, 7, 59, 118, 119, 9, 199, 10, 60 and 200. 

Amendment 8 was pre-empted. 

The Committee ended consideration of the Bill for the day amendment 3 having been disposed of.