Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Official Report 803KB pdf

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

Food and Drink (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Market Measures and Notifications) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Common Agricultural Policy and Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

We move to item 2. We have received consent notifications in relation to three United Kingdom statutory instruments, as detailed on the agenda. The instruments are being laid in the UK Parliament in relation to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Are there any comments?

The Common Organisation of the Markets in Agricultural Products (Market Measures and Notifications) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 that are before us are part of the general common organisation of the markets amendments. The Parliament has already dealt with and agreed to the Agriculture (Legislative Functions) (EU Exit) (No 2) Regulations 2019, which create a financial obligation on devolved Administrations to provide compensation to certain people.

The briefing notes tell us, as they have done previously, that UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials say that the UK Government will cover those moneys. However, we have not heard formally that that will be the case. As it is a cost that the devolved Administrations, including us, could potentially have to bear, I want to put on the record that I think that it is time that we heard formally. I am not asking for any action; I just want to put that on the record.

It is certainly on the record. It might be appropriate for the committee to consider writing to ask for confirmation that that is the case. Does the committee have a view on that? There are some nods.

Is the committee happy to write to the Scottish Government to confirm that the committee is content for consent to be given to the UK SIs that are referred to in the notifications and to write to the Government regarding the financial position?

Members indicated agreement.