Environment and Rural Development Committee,

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Official Report 73KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Organic Aid (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (SSI 2004/143)<br />Organic Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2004 (SSI 2004/174)

I welcome committee members and members of the press and public to the meeting. We have no apologies—I think that we are all here. I remind everyone to turn off their mobile phones.

We have two Scottish statutory instruments to consider—the Organic Aid (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (SSI 2004/143) and the Organic Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2004 (SSI 2004/174). The Subordinate Legislation Committee has considered and commented on both sets of regulations and an extract from its report has been circulated.

Members have probably picked up on the fact that the second set of regulations is an amendment to the first set. I must commend the Executive for its efficiency in correcting the original regulations, as the process usually takes a bit longer. It is helpful that mistakes were spotted and corrected instantly.

The Executive is getting used to the process.

That saves us picking up the mistakes and kicking back the SSI.

Are colleagues content to make no recommendation to Parliament on the regulations?

Members indicated agreement.

On this occasion, our consideration is straightforward. From the policy perspective, we welcome the regulations, which will introduce the new organic aid scheme for Scotland as approved by the European Commission. That is very good news.