Chamber and committees

My amendment 69 would place responsibility on both parties to confirm that the dog is at least eight weeks old. On section 3, the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee’s stage 1 report states:

“the code should set out additional requirements in relation to the sale or transfer of a dog under 12 months old by the first owner of the litter. These include a restriction on the sale of a dog under eight weeks old”.

That is also highlighted in the bill, which will extend existing restrictions on the sale of a dog that is under eight weeks old from a licensed litter. The 2021 regulations provide that no puppy that is aged under eight weeks may be sold or permanently separated from its biological mother and that a puppy should be shown to a prospective purchaser only if it is with its biological mother. The only circumstances in which that does not apply are where it is necessary for the puppy’s health or welfare or where the puppy’s biological mother is deceased.

Amendment 69 recommends that responsibility be placed on both parties to confirm that the dog meets that age requirement. The Law Society of Scotland agrees with the amendment and recommends that section 4(4)(b) of the bill be amended so that the buyer and the seller must confirm that the puppy is at least eight weeks old.

Minister, do you wish to wind up?

The question is, that amendment 66 be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

Amendment 2, in the name of Ariane Burgess, is grouped with amendment 3.

Please continue, minister.

There will be a division.

For

Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP)
Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD)

Against

Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)

Abstentions

Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green)

There will be a division.

For

Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP)
Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD)

Against

Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)

The question is, that amendment 74 be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

There will be a division.

For

Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)

Against

Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP)
Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD)

I call Edward Mountain.