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Chamber and committees

Rural Affairs Committee


Agenda: 23 September 2026

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

5th Meeting, 2026

Start time: 09:00am
Location: Committee Room 2
Agenda items:

  1. Decisions on taking business in private
  2. Welfare of Equidae Code of Practice (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2026 – evidence
  3. Welfare of Equidae Code of Practice (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2026 – motion recommending approval
  4. Subordinate legislation
  5. Forestry
  6. Peatlands
  7. Review of evidence
  8. Work programme

Agenda published: Friday, 18 September 2026 04:08pm

Full agenda and available meeting papers


1. Decisions on taking business in private

The Committee will decide whether to take items 7 and 8 in private.


2. Welfare of Equidae Code of Practice (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2026 – evidence

The Committee will take evidence on the Welfare of Equidae Code of Practice (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2026 (SG/2026/193) from—

  • Jim Fairlie
    Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands
    Scottish Government
  • Simon Girling
    Veterinary Advisor
    Scottish Government

Papers for this item:

1 private paper will be discussed during this agenda item


3. Welfare of Equidae Code of Practice (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2026 – motion recommending approval

Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands to move—

S7M-01087—That the Rural Affairs Committee recommends that the Welfare of Equidae Code of Practice (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2026 (SG/2026/193) be approved.


4. Subordinate legislation

The Committee will consider the Charges for Residues Surveillance Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/249).

Papers for this item:


5. Forestry

The Committee will take evidence from—

  • Stuart Goodall
    Chief Executive
    Confor
  • Paul Lowe
    Chief Executive
    Scottish Forestry
  • Simon Ritchie
    Policy and Advocacy Manager
    Woodland Trust Scotland
  • Andy Rockall
    Chief Executive
    Community Woodlands Association

Papers for this item:

1 private paper will be discussed during this agenda item


6. Peatlands

The Committee will take evidence from—

  • Professor Roxane Andersen
    Senior Research Fellow
    UHI North, West and Hebrides
  • Andy Ford
    Director of Nature and Climate Change
    Cairngorms National Park Authority
  • Peter Hutchinson
    Head of Peatland Programme and Strategy
    NatureScot
  • Richard Lindsay
    Senior Research Advisor
    IUCN UK Peatland Programme

Papers for this item:

1 private paper will be discussed during this agenda item


7. Review of evidence

The Committee will review the evidence heard under agenda items 5 and 6.


8. Work programme

The Committee will consider its work programme.

Papers for this item:

1 private paper will be discussed during this agenda item


Official Report

The Official Report of this meeting has not been published yet.

See all of this committee's Official Reports

Meeting Minutes

The Minutes of this meeting have not been published yet