However, the Minister acknowledged that Scottish Government would give ‘careful consideration’ to whether further research was required to establish the extent and impact of gamebird releasing in Scotland.
Whether this ‘commitment’ to science will be enough to see the amendments fall will become known next week. MSPs on all sides of the debate did acknowledge there was currently a lack of data upon which to formulate balanced legislation.
Despite amendments put forward by Lorna Slater (Greens), Mercedes Villalba (Labour) and Beatrice Wishart (Lib Dems), variously recommending greater regulatory oversight of gamebird releasing, the Minister cautioned the Rural Affairs Committee against supporting proposals which lacked sufficient evidence, pointing also to the impact on the rural economy.
In relation to Beatrice Wishart’s amendment in this regard, the Minister suggested there were legal mechanisms already in place to satisfy the MSP’s wishes and that Minister Jim Fairlie would engage with the MSP to look at these further.
Gillian Martin will also discuss with Mercedes Villalba ahead of the next session (next Wednesday) her amendments on ‘non-native’ species more widely.
As expected, the Committee session did not manage to focus on deer due to time constraints and the deer management amendments under Section 4 will be dealt with in the next session.
Grouse also featured, with Conservative MSPs Rachael Hamilton and Finlay Carson seeking an explanation from Minister Jim Fairlie regarding his Amendment 35 and, specifically, correspondence to the Committee which, it was alleged, could have ‘misled’ on some points.
The Minister, supported by the Greens, has brought forward an amendment which seeks to close a ‘loophole’ in the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill over the extent of land over which relevant offences could relate to the potential revocation of a grouse licence.
It is likely the Minister will be tasked with responding to the Committee on contents of the correspondence, although it remains unlikely the amendment will be withdrawn.
You can watch all of today’s proceedings on https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/rural-affairs-and-islands-committee-november-19-2025
The SGA will continue to represent members’ interests through all stages of the Bill.
