Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Meeting date: Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Official Report 590KB pdf
Contents
- Attendance
- Decision on Taking Business in Private
- European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
Plant Health (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Plant Health (Amendment) (No 2) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) (No 2) Regulations 2020
Item 2 is the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. We have received consent notifications in relation to three United Kingdom statutory instruments, as detailed on the agenda. Those instruments are being laid in the UK Parliament in relation to the withdrawal act. Members will note that two of them, which relate to plant health regulations, are category B, which means that more significant policy issues are involved and that powers to legislate have been transferred. Several issues have been identified in our briefing papers detailing the nature and extent of the provisions. Do members have any comments?
I am content to support the proposals before us, but it would be appropriate to put on record that I—and others, I suspect—retain relatively substantial concerns about the operation of phytosanitary certifications between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and, in particular, Scotland. This is an issue for food generally—fish, potatoes and so on—and is potentially an issue for my constituents and the constituents of other members. That reminds me that I should declare that I own a registered agricultural holding jointly with my spouse, from which I take no income.
The papers before us make the point that I mention. The point is also made that the Scottish and UK Governments continue to discuss the issue, and we are advised that there are not anticipated to be long-term problems. Nonetheless, in advance of seeing the final outcome, it is important simply to record that concerns remain.
My comment is on the back of Stewart Stevenson’s. Paragraph 29 in the committee paper talks about a phased approach to checking plants and says that
“checks would only be performed on certain high-risk plants.”
From reading the papers and looking at the various issues, I am concerned about protecting potato crops. Eight diseases of potatoes are mentioned, one of which is caused by the potato flea beetle. The beetle comes from North America, but we are already seeing it in Spain and Portugal. We know how important seed potatoes are for Scotland—they are a £200 million industry—and there were issues raised, last week I think, about potatoes going to Ireland. We should see how this progresses to make sure that checks are conducted in a way that protects our valuable seed potato industry.
I am happy for us to consent to the regulations and note the comments. It is important, though, that we do not scaremonger. These are technical regulations and, although it is important to see how they progress and ask questions about them, to suggest that there will be widespread issues as a result of them is probably taking things a bit too far.
Stewart Stevenson was shaking his head. I think that it is a disagreement rather than an inability to hear.
As Stewart Stevenson has made a declaration of interest, I declare that I have an agricultural interest in a family farming partnership in Moray.
I have comments relating to the 11 issues that are raised in the committee’s briefing paper. Even if we do not object to the SIs, which I think would be wrong, it would be useful to ask questions of the Government. If we submit those questions to the Government, we can consider its response. We should also address the issues that have been raised by Stewart Stevenson, Emma Harper and Oliver Mundell.
Can members all hear what is being said? I think that there are problems with sound quality. Stewart Stevenson is saying that there is a problem. Richard Lyle, have you got a problem with sound? I will keep talking. Is the sound getting any better? Does anyone else, apart from Stewart Stevenson, have a problem with it? Raise your hand if you have a problem. Are members content to continue? If you are not content to continue with the quality as it is, I will suspend the meeting to sort the sound quality out. Could members use the chat function to make any comments? I see a raised hand from Richard Lyle.
Sorry, convener. I did not intend to comment. I just moved my hand.
That is all right. It is better that I call you than ignore you. Angus, did you want comment?
Thanks, convener. It seems that the problem is just from the committee room. I can hear everyone who is remote without a problem.
Okay. Our sound technicians are looking at the issue and will do what they can, but I suggest that we push on.
Are we content to write to the Scottish Government to confirm our consent to the UK regulations and highlight the points that have been raised? Stewart Stevenson is saying yes.
I did not hear what Oliver Mundell said, but I picked up the word “scaremonger”. Phytosanitary conditions and the safety of our production and supply chain are serious issues. I am happy to consent to the regulations, but we need to be aware of the phytosanitary measures that are hugely important for our Scottish producers.
I will bring Oliver Mundell in to clarify what he said and give Emma Harper some certainty.
I do not deny that these are serious and important issues. I just think that it is wrong to suggest that the regulations are going to be a major problem. It is right to ask questions and seek guarantees, but we should not cause unnecessary concern by suggesting that there will be a problem.
Emma, I hope that that clarifies.
My understanding is that we should consent to the regulations but, at the same time, raise the issues that have been mentioned by committee members and the clerks. Unless I see any shakes of the head, that is the way we will go forward.
Members indicated agreement.
Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Producer Organisations and Wine) (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
The next item is consideration of correspondence from the Scottish Government relating to two UK statutory instruments. The instruments have been laid before the UK Parliament in relation to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The committee is not being asked to give consent to the SIs, as the UK Government considers that they relate to reserved matters. The Scottish ministers, however, consider that consent is required. Does the committee wish to note the correspondence and respond to the Scottish Government asking to be kept updated on the SIs as things progress?
Members indicated agreement.
Thank you. We will now go into private session.
10:12 Meeting continued in private until 12:20, suspended thereafter until 14:00 and continued in private thereafter until 15:48.