Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Official Report 342KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (SSI 2012/321)

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Plant Health (Scotland) Amendment (No 2) Order 2012 (SSI 2012/326)

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Crofting Register (Scotland) Amendment Rules 2012 (SSI 2012/327)

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Crofting Register (Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2012 (SSI 2012/328)

Agenda item 2 is subordinate legislation. The committee must consider four instruments that are subject to negative procedure; they are listed on the agenda. No motions to annul have been received in relation to any of the instruments. I refer members to the paper that has been provided.

Do members want to comment? There are four instruments, two of which will make corrections. The first of the instruments requires some corrections. We note the complexity of particular areas of regulation. The rural affairs directorate has mentioned the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Scotland) Regulations 2012, and I understand that it intends to amend two paragraphs very soon after the new year. Thanks to the Subordinate Legislation Committee, the regulations are being brought to the Government’s attention so that we will get better regulation.

As a member of the cross-party group on animal welfare, I highlight the fact that a number of concerns have been raised. It is important that there is on-going discussion about and awareness of the issue of animals at the time of killing. I would like it to be noted that there are on-going concerns. I will not go into them today, but they exist.

Thank you very much for that.

Do members agree that we need make no recommendations on the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.