Minutes: 04 March 2026

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. Wildfires in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Michael Bruce, Director, Firebreak Services;

Dr Zakary Campbell-Lochrie, Lecturer in Fire Science , University of Edinburgh;

Jon Henderson, Assistant Chief Officer and Director of Prevention, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service;

Calum Kippen, Member, Scottish Gamekeepers Association;

Grant Moir, Chief Executive, Cairngorms National Park Authority;

Professor Robin Pakeman, Senior Scientist;

Dr Mike Rivington, Senior Scientist, James Hutton Institute.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instruments—

Official Controls (Location of Border Control Posts) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/61)
Sea Fish (Prohibition on Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Revocation Order 2026 (SSI 2026/95)
Water Environment (Shellfish Water Protected Areas: Designation) (Scotland) Order 2026 (SSI 2026/57)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instruments.

4. Wildfires in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.