This report details the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee's consideration of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2019.
The Committee agreed to recommend to the Parliament that it approves the draft instrument.
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 30 January 2019, the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft] was laid before the Parliament and was subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 provides Scottish Ministers with the powers to opt out of growing future EU approved genetically modified (GM) crops and powers of enforcement in this respect. In addition, the Order updates out-of-date references and removes obsolete provisions in a number of domestic GM regulations.
An earlier version of this Order was laid and withdrawn by the Scottish Government to correct a minor error noted by the legal advisors to the Delegated Power and Law Reform Committee.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform (DPLR) Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 29 January 2019 and agreed not to draw the Parliament's attention to the instrument on any grounds within its remit.
At its 5th meeting of 2019, held on 6 February, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Mairi Gougeon, the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, and her officials.
In discussions, the Committee sought clarity on which Genetically Modified Organisms were affected, the context of Brexit for this SSI, and the Scottish Government's position on Genetically Modified Organisms.
The Minister subsequently moved the following motion in the name of the Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy—
S5M-15628—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft] be approved.
The Committee agreed the motion (by division: For 8, Against 1, Abstentions 2).
The Official Report of the meeting is a full transcript of the discussion.
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft] be approved.