Minutes: 30 April 2025

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill:

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

Donald Fraser, Head of Wildlife Management, and Robbie Kernahan, Director of Green Economy, NatureScot;

and then from—

Peter Clark, Scotland Director, British Association for Shooting and Conservation;

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland, Scottish Land and Estates;

David Fleetwood, Director of Policy, John Muir Trust;

Alan McDonnell, Head of Nature Restoration, Trees for Life;

Grant Moir, Chief Executive Officer, Cairngorms National Park Authority;

Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management, RSPB Scotland, LINK Deer Group;

Dick Playfair, Secretary, Scottish Venison Association;

Graeme Prest, Director of Land Management and Regions, Forestry and Land Scotland;

Tom Turnbull, Chairman, Association of Deer Management Groups.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a landowner with experience of deer management.

2. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.