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Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition<br />of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002<br />(SSI 2002/418)
Under agenda item 2, we will consider an instrument that is subject to negative procedure. The Subordinate Legislation Committee has considered the regulations and had nothing to report. Do any members wish to comment on the regulations?
Yes. I support the measure, which is valuable for our salmon and freshwater fisheries industry, particularly in places such as the River Dee, which I know. However, in pursuit of our discussion last week about retrospective legislation, I note that the regulations come into effect today. Therefore, they may not quite be considered retrospective. I just wanted to make that point.
Just on a point of information—because I cannot remember—when does the rod fishing season end?
Oh, good grief. Jamie McGrigor is not here.
I ask merely because I think that the season has ended. That is the point.
It changes river by river.
Yes.
It is normally around the middle to the end of October, certainly in my part of Scotland
Okay. I simply could not remember. I agree with Mike Rumbles's general point, but if the regulations were not of any practical limitation to people—but then we do not have an explanation, so we will not know.
I presume that other members do not wish to comment. My only concern about the regulations is whether they are policeable; I think that they will be difficult to police. However, I do not think that anybody argues with the thinking behind them. On that basis, I am certainly content to recommend that we make no recommendation to Parliament and allow the regulations to proceed. Are we agreed?
The committee will now move into private session.
Meeting continued in private until 16:37.
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