As a society we ask a lot of the land in Scotland. There are a wide range of national policy ambitions for land use, and many functions that land currently delivers. This briefing considers the multiple demands placed on Scotland's land and the growing focus on integrating land uses. It explores how a selection of Scottish and international reports refer to the idea of integrating land use, and associated challenges and opportunities. The briefing has been prepared by Dr Sarah Govan from ClimateXChange, through an academic fellowship with SPICe. …

This briefing summarises scrutiny of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill to date in advance of the Parliament's consideration at Stage 3. It sets out details of how the Bill was amended at Stage 2 and other significant developments or areas of debate. …

This briefing has been produced by researchers in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). It provides updates on some of the key issues SPICe identified as likely to be of particular interest at the start of Session 6 along with a number of new policy issues that have emerged since May 2021.The briefing is intended to assist MSPs and their staff, who are encouraged to contact SPICe if they require further information on these or any other topics. …

The Scottish Government introduced the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill in September 2023. The bill gives Scottish Ministers the powers to develop a new package of rural policy and support. This briefing includes an explanation of what the bill does, as well as background information on rural policy development to date. …

A briefing on the background and context to the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill, and an explanation of the changes being made by the Bill. …

This briefing discusses the Fisheries Management and Support Common Framework (FMS) . The FMS Framework sets out how governments across the UK will work together on the sustainable management of fisheries and the wider seafood sector. The briefing also provides background information on the common frameworks programme. …