The committee will now take evidence on a proposed workplace parking levy from two panels of witnesses:

• Professor Stephen Ison, professor of Transport Policy, Loughborough University
• Chris Carter, head of transport strategy, Nottingham City Council

Image source, Google

and then from:

• Jim Grieve from SEStran, and a member of Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland
• Councillor Anna Richardson from Glasgow City Council
• Richard Sweetnam from Aberdeen City Council

Read the committee papers, including an extensive submission from Nottingham City Council, here., external

Image source, PA

MSPs approve the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019 [draft], external.

The committee also approves Code for the Welfare of Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2019 [draft], external.

Separately, the committee makes no recommendations on the The Road Works (Qualifications of Operatives and Supervisors) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019, external.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Gail Ross asks if the guidance will need to change with Brexit.

Ms Gougeon replies the government will ensure it keeps pace with the EU but it has already been transposed into Scots Law.

Committee convener Edward Mountain asks, if non-compliance leads to a level 4 fine and three months in prison, how that will work with cross-compliance.

Ms Gougeon says it is an offence not to be acquainted with the guidance.

MSPs are also considering the Code for the Welfare of Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2019 [draft].

Mr Mountain says the vagueness, for example in terms of culling injured chickens, rings alarm bells for him.

Read the committee papers here., external

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon explains the new guidance replaces the obsolete code of practice published in 2005.

The purpose of the draft regulations is to ensure those responsible for farmed animals will have a statutory duty to be familiar with the guidance and to revoke previous guidance to prevent confusion she says.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks why previous guidelines were not sufficient and what consultation occurred for the new ones.

Ms Gougeon says legislation has moved on significantly since the 2005 code thus requiring it to be rewritten, particularly around health monitoring, ventilation and temperature control.

The government consulted with industry and animal welfare organisations, she tells the committee.

Image source, bbc

MSPs are considering the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019 [draft], external, taking evidence from:

• Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon
• Andrew Voas, veterinary head of animal welfare with the Scottish government
• Grant McLarty, solicitor, Scottish Government

The purpose of the new provision in the instrument is to place certain requirements on persons responsible for farmed animals in relation to the recently published Guidance for the Welfare of Meat Chickens and Meat Breeding Chickens (“the Meat Chickens Guidance”).

Image source, Getty Images

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee will shortly take evidence on the workplace parking levy, including from Nottingham City Council, where the levy is in place.

Before that MSPs will consider the animal welfare regulations and road works regulations.

The Road Works (Qualifications of Operatives and Supervisors) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019.

Read more here., external

Image source, PA/SP

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 22 May 2019.

There’s no parliamentary business on Thursday due to the EU elections, so FMQs will take place this afternoon.

• MSPS take evidence on the Transport Bill, focusing on the Workplace Parking Levy
• Business support inquiry debate
• NHS Tayside mental health review interim report statement

• General questions

• First minister’s questions: Kick off at 4.15pm
• Local radio content debate