Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, 11 Feb 2009
Meeting date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Official Report
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Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment Committee Wednesday 11 February 2009
[The Deputy Convener opened the meeting at 10:01]
Good morning and welcome to the fifth meeting of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee in 2009. We meet this morning having lost Roseanna Cunningham, who, if Parliament agrees, will replace Michael Russell as the Minister for Environment. Of course, we congratulate her on her elevation—I think that that is the word—and thank her for her contribution to the committee. We have enjoyed serving with her. During her time as convener, we have done a power of good work and she has led the committee with enthusiasm and always in an entertaining way.
In addition to welcoming members, I welcome those in the public gallery. I ask everyone to switch off their telephones or put them to flight mode, as they affect the sound system if switched on. I have received apologies from Karen Gillon, who is a long-term absentee from the committee. I welcome her committee substitute, Rhoda Grant.
The main purpose of the meeting is consideration of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill. We will take evidence first from witnesses in a round-table format and then from Michael Russell, the Minister for Environment, and his officials. If we have time, we will then consider a draft report on rural housing in private. Our witnesses for the round-table discussion are with us, but we have first to consider one item of subordinate legislation, so I ask them to bear with us for a moment.