Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Official Report 418KB pdf

Subordinate Legislation

Loch Carron Urgent Marine Conservation (No 2) Order 2017 (SSI 2017/205)

Agenda item 3 concerns a piece of subordinate legislation. I refer members to the paper and invite comments.

I had concerns about the description of the boundaries in the original instrument. However, following the cabinet secretary’s response, I am satisfied that there is no ambiguity from the perspective of the local fishing industry. I have no issues with the replacement order. Nevertheless, I think that it would be good if the committee were given sight of the business and regulatory impact assessment once it has been completed. That might not be imminent but it would still be good to see it at some point, given the impact that it is having.

Taking Mr MacDonald’s point on board, we could perhaps write to the Government and seek that information. With that in mind, does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations in relation to the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

At the next meeting of the committee, on 19 September, we will take evidence on the Scottish Parliament’s environmental performance from its chief executive, Sir Paul Grice.

We now move into private session and I ask that the public gallery be cleared.