Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Official Report 472KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Outer Hebrides (Landing of Crabs and Lobsters) Order 2015 (SSI 2015/183)

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Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/185)

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Waste (Meaning of Hazardous Waste and European Waste Catalogue) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/188)

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Carbon Accounting Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/189)

Agenda item 2 is subordinate legislation. The committee is to consider four negative instruments, as listed on the agenda.

Members will note that the second of those—the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2015—has been drawn to the Parliament’s attention by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee under reporting ground (h), as that committee believes that the instrument could be clearer.

I refer members to the paper and ask if there are any comments.

I seek clarification on the Outer Hebrides (Landing of Crabs and Lobsters) Order 2015. I understand that the order prohibits the landing in Scotland of “crippled female lobsters” that are caught in inshore waters. Why would that be the case? Can we ask for clarification on that?

We could certainly write and ask the minister for clarification.

I seek clarity on the same instrument. The policy objectives state:

“These measures will apply only to landings from Scottish or other British fishing boats.”

That appears to imply that there could be landings by non-United Kingdom boats, in which case I would ask why the restrictions do not apply to non-UK vessels.

I wonder whether that is because it is within the 12-mile limit. I think that we should ask the minister for answers to those questions.

Other than that, are we agreed that we do not wish to make any recommendations in relation to the instruments?

We are just seeking clarification; we do not wish to hold back the instruments.

It is always useful for members to understand what we are passing. Are we agreed that the committee does not wish to make any comments in relation to the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.