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1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.

2. Forestry and woodland management in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive Officer, Confor;

Dr Ruth Mitchell, Biodiversity and Ecosystems group leader, The James Hutton Institute;

Graeme Prest, Director of Land Management and Regions, Forestry and Land Scotland;

Andy Rockall, Director, Community Woodlands Association;

Professor Ian Wall, Chair, Public Financial Support for Tree-Planting and Forestry inquiry, Royal Society of Edinburgh;

David Robertson, Investment and Business Development Director, Scottish Woodlands;

Brendan Callaghan, Director of Operational Delivery, Scottish Forestry;

Sarah Madden, Policy Advocate, Forestry and Land Use, Woodland Trust Scotland.

Ariane Burgess declared an interest as a volunteer board member of the Community Woodlands Association.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee deferred consideration of this item to its next meeting—

 (2024/368)

4. Follow-up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee continued its consideration of a draft report. Various changes were agreed to, and the report was agreed for publication.

5. Forestry and woodland management in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.