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Chamber and committees

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee


Minutes: 21 January 2026

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

3rd Meeting, 2026

Minutes


1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.


2. Scottish Government Budget 2026 to 2027:

The Committee took evidence from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, George Burgess, Director of Agriculture and Rural Economy, Karen Morley, Joint Head of Agriculture and Rural Economy Finance, Iain Wallace, Interim Director of Marine and Brendan Callaghan, Interim Chief Executive, Scottish Forestry, Scottish Government.

Tim Eagle declared an interest as being in receipt of a single farm payment and previously having participated in an agri-environment climate (AEC) scheme.


3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Animal Health (Fixed Penalty Notices) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/Draft) from—

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Megan O'Brien, Lawyer, Caroline Blair, Policy Manager and Eilidh Wallace, Policy Lead, Scottish Government.


4. Subordinate legislation:

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity moved—

S6M-20214—That the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee recommends that the Animal Health (Fixed Penalty Notices) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/Draft) be approved.

The motion was agreed to.




5. Scottish Government Budget 2026 to 2027 (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting. 


6. Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered a draft Stage 1 report. Various changes were agreed to.  The Committee agreed to consider the final revised draft by correspondence.


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