Minutes: 12 December 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private.

The Committee also agreed to consider its work programme in private at its next meeting.

2. Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (draft Delivery Plan):

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr Clare Cavers, Senior Projects Manager, Fidra;

Calum Duncan, Head of Conservation, Scotland, Marine Conservation Society;

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation;

Tavish Scott, Chief Executive, Salmon Scotland; and

Phil Taylor, Head of Policy and Operations, The Open Seas Trust.

Edward Mountain declared an interest as a joint owner of a wild salmon fishery, on the east coast of Scotland, which he receives income from.

3. Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (draft Delivery Plan) (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 2.

The Committee agreed to share the papers for its next evidence session on this matter, on 9 January 2024, with any members of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee attending for that item.

4. Adviser (in private):

The Committee considered a list of candidates and agreed its preferred candidate for appointment of adviser on climate change and net zero targets.

5. Appointments to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission (in private):

The Committee considered three candidates nominated by the Scottish Government for appointment to the Board of the Scottish Land Commission: two as Commissioners and one as Chair, together with documentation in support of the nominations provided by the Scottish Government.

The Committee agreed to recommend that the Scottish Parliament approve the three candidates. The proposal was agreed to by division: For 4 (Bob Doris, Jackie Dunbar, Ben Macpherson, Mark Ruskell), Against 3 (Monica Lennon, Douglas Lumsden, Edward Mountain), Abstentions 0.