Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
This report details the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee's consideration of the following instrument —
Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
The Committee agreed to recommend to the Parliament that it approves the instrument.
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
On 5 February 2021, the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 regulations were laid before the Parliament. The regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
Following correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government withdrew the instrument and re-laid this revised instrument on 15 February 2021. The Scottish Government withdrew and re-laid the instrument a second time on 2 March 2021.
The Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (“the 2021 Regulations”) amend the Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2014, by correcting deficiencies and amending the existing fee structure in connection with fees to be levied on goods arriving in Scotland from the European Union.
The 2021 Regulations also amend the Plant Health (Fees) (Forestry) (England and Scotland) Regulations 2015 to introduce provisions relating to export certification fees in relation to consignments of goods being exported from Scotland to Northern Ireland.
In addition, the 2021 Regulations also amend the Plant Health (Official Controls and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2019 to introduce enforcement provision relating to plant passports on goods arriving in Scotland from Northern Ireland.
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered this instrument at its meetings on 23 February 2021 and 9 March 2021. The Committee agreed not to draw this instrument to the attention of the Parliament.
At its meeting on 10 March 2021, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee took evidence on this instrument from Ben Macpherson, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, and Scottish Government officials. The Committee asked for further detail on what plants were affected, and the inspection scheme. In responding, the Minister clarified that the main focus of these Regulations was to ensure that appropriate fee structures were in place.
The Minister subsequently moved the following motion in his name—
S5M-24145—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 [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, which will be available shortly.
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends to the Parliament that the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.