At its meeting on 24 November 2021, the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee considered the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021.

The instrument is subject to the mandatory affirmative procedure which means it is for the Committee to recommend to the Parliament whether the draft regulations be approved.

The Regulations amend existing subordinate legislation to make provision—

• for increases in fees and charges for export certification in respect of plants and plant products leaving Scotland;

• to correct deficiencies in domestic law and retained EU law arising from the UK withdrawal from the European Union;

• to waive fees charged for considering applications for phytosanitary certificates and associated testing and examination activities in respect of plants, plant products and associated objects being transported from Scotland to Northern Ireland; and

• to correct an error in the existing Regulations.

The Committee took evidence from Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, after which she moved motion S6M-02211 —

That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee recommends that the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to without division.

The official report of the meeting can be accessed on the Scottish Parliament's website.