Rural Affairs Committee
The Committee was established in June 2026. It focuses on issues relating to:
- natural resources including peatland and forestry
- agriculture and crofting
- animal welfare and wildlife
- marine operations, fisheries and aquaculture
- land reform and land use
- botanical gardens and national parks
Next meeting of the committee
Start time:
9:00am, Wednesday 30 September 2026
Location: Committee Room 2
Agenda:
- Decisions on taking business in private
- Marine and fisheries – evidence
- Marine and fisheries – evidence
- Work programme
Dates for future meetings
The Rural Affairs Committee usually meets on Wednesday.
Previous meetings of the committee
Work of the Committee
Current work
Future work
The Committee agreed to undertake several inquiries in the coming months on topics across its remit. The timing and details of the the inquiries will be agreed at future meetings, at which point a separate tab will be set up for them on the Committee’s webpage.
Pre-budget scrutiny and programme for Government
The Committee plan to hold an evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands on the Scottish Government’s priorities for the Rural Affairs remit, including covering pre-budget issues and topics in the Programme for Government.
Wild salmon
The Committee will undertake a short inquiry into wild salmon. A detailed plan for the inquiry, including its timing, will be considered at a future meeting.
Inshore fisheries
The Committee will undertake an inquiry into inshore fisheries. A detailed plan for the inquiry, including its timing, will be considered at a future meeting.
Correspondence
Correspondence
Rural Affairs Committee
Marine and fisheries: introductory session on 30 September 2026
29 September 2026
Submission from the Marine Conservation Society, 29 September 2026
Rural Affairs Committee
Marine and fisheries: introductory session on 30 September 2026
28 September 2026
Submission from Our Seas Coalition, 28 September 2026
Rural Affairs Committee
28 September 2026
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands, 28 September 2026
Official Reports of meetings
Official Reports of meetings
Meeting date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, Forestry, Peatlands
Meeting date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Rural Support Plan
Meeting date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, Rural Support Plan
Meeting date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Interests, Decision on Taking Business in Private, Rural Support Plan
Meeting date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Interests, Deputy Convener, Decision on Taking Business in Private
Committee Remit
To consider and report on matters within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, with the exception of climate action
Current Members
Mark Ruskell
Convener
Scottish Green Party
Andrew Baxter
Deputy Convener
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Dawn Black
Member
Scottish National Party
Finlay Carson
Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Jamie Langan
Member
Reform UK
Laura Mitchell
Member
Scottish National Party
Emma Roddick
Member
Scottish National Party
Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members