Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 20 November 2020, the Rural Development (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 [draft] was laid before the Parliament and was subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
The Rural Development (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 [draft]:
ensure the continuation of rural development support and the Scottish Rural Development Programme (“SRDP”) from 2021,
simplifies and improves the operation of Common Agricultural Policy (“CAP”) retained EU legislation, and
corrects deficiencies in that legislation arising from withdrawal from the UK.
For that purpose, the 2020 Regulations provide for the method under which the Scottish Ministers will determine the annual core contribution funding for rural development, and allow for the amendment of the SRDP without the need to use legislation to do so.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform (DPLR) Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 1 December 2020 and agreed not to draw the Parliament's attention to the instrument on any grounds within its remit
At its meeting on 16 December 2020, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, and his officials.
The Cabinet Secretary subsequently moved the following motion in his name—
S5M-23437—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Rural Development (EU Exit) (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 the Official Report of the meeting
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Rural Development (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.