Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
This report details the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee's consideration of the following instruments/documents laid for approval —
Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft];
Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft];
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2020.
The Committee agreed to recommend to the Parliament that it approves the instruments and document laid for approval.
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 29 September, the Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] were laid before the Parliament. The regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
These Regulations introduce mandatory CCTV coverage and recording of all areas of Scottish slaughterhouses in which live animals are present. The instrument aims to ensure full coverage and protection of all such areas in a slaughterhouse and fully achieve the welfare benefits associated with CCTV monitoring.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform (DPLR) Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 27 October 2020 and agreed not to draw the Parliament's attention to the instrument on any grounds within its remit.
At its meeting on 28 October 2020, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, and Scottish Government officials.
The Committee sought clarification on whether funding would be available for the 6 smaller slaughterhouses located on Scotland's islands to introduce CCTV and implement the regulations, given the specific circumstances they face. The Minister provided reassurance that funding of up to £5,000 had been offered by the Scottish Government to each of the island slaughterhouses. Members asked to be kept informed about the support provided. The Committee also questioned the Minister on the timescales for implementation; how the regulations will affect mobile slaughterhouses (there are none at present); retention periods for the CCTV footage; and access to CCTV footage.
The Minister subsequently moved the following motion in her name—
S5M-22891—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.
The Committee agreed the motion without division.
Full details of the Committee's consideration of the instrument can be found in the Official Report of the meeting (this is due to be published by 6pm on Thursday 29 October 2020).
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 16 September, the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft] were laid before the Parliament. The regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
These Regulations amend the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (“the 2010 regulations”). The purpose of the new provision is to include the recently published “Guidance for the Welfare of Laying Hens and Pullets” in the definition of “animal welfare guidance”. The 2010 regulations places certain requirements on persons responsible for farmed animals in relation to “animal welfare guidance”.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform (DPLR) Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 22 September 2020 and agreed not to draw the Parliament's attention to the instrument on any grounds within its remit.
At its meeting on 28 October 2020, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, and Scottish Government officials.
The Minister subsequently moved the following motion in her name—
S5M-22766—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.
The Committee agreed the motion without division.
Full details of the Committee's consideration of the instrument can be found in the Official Report of the meeting (this is due to be published by 6pm on Thursday 29 October 2020).
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 16 September, the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2020 was laid before the Parliament. This document is subject to approval by resolution, which follows the same procedure as for an affirmative instrument.
The Notice revokes the “Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens”, which was published by the Scottish Ministers on 23 April 2012. This is replaced by “Guidance for the Welfare of Laying Hens and Pullets” which was published on 21 August 2020.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform (DPLR) Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 22 September 2020 and agreed not to draw the Parliament's attention to the instrument on any grounds within its remit.
At its meeting on 28 October 2020, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, and Scottish Government officials.
The Committee asked the Minister how the Government would communicate to those affected the changes introduced through the revocation of the Code of Practice and the introduction of the Guidance which replaces it. The Minister stated that industry stakeholders had been closely involved in developing the guidance and they would communicate directly with as many people as possible.
The Minister subsequently moved the following motion in her name—
S5M-22820—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2020 be approved.
The Committee agreed the motion without division.
Full details of the Committee's consideration of this document can be found in the Official Report of the meeting (this is due to be published by 6pm on Thursday 29 October 2020).
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens (Revocation) (Scotland) Notice 2020 be approved.