Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Meeting date: Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Official Report 651KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Scotland) Amendment (No 2) Regulations 2019 (SSI 2019/425)

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Sea Fish (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2019 (SSI 2019/419)

Item 3 is subordinate legislation. It involves the consideration of two negative instruments as detailed on the agenda. No motions to annul have been received. However, a comment has been received regarding the Sea Fish (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2019 and the consideration of the future use of dredgers and creels in the area; it has been circulated to the committee. I suggest that we pass that comment on to the Scottish Government so that, when it considers the matter as part of the annual process, it takes into account the points that have been raised. Does any member have any other comments to make?

I entirely support your proposal, convener. I wonder whether we could get a response well in advance, given how quickly time moves on, so that, if any issues emerge with regard to dredging in particular, we can consider them prior to our future deliberations on the next occasion that such a statutory instrument appears.

Indeed—that is incredibly sensible. We will ask the clerks to put it in the diary to ensure that we get a response in due course.

Does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations in relation to the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.

Before we move into private session, I see that Mike Rumbles wants to come in.

On the agenda, it does not say that the committee is to move into private session. There may be people listening to or watching the meeting who will be expecting to hear what we have to say.

Indeed. I would, however, make the point that we agreed at a previous meeting that we would review the evidence in private. I will make sure that, if that is not already on the agenda—I do not have it in front of me now—it will appear there. The private session is purely to enable us to review the evidence that we have heard this morning.

I am just making the point that, when we published the agenda—

I see that the agenda does not say that the item will be taken in private. I will ensure that that is clearer in future. On that basis—

I am sorry—I see that John Finnie wants to come in.

Was there another piece of subordinate legislation, on plant health, for us to consider? Did I miss that?

Sorry—I took the two instruments together.

I beg your pardon, convener.

If you would like me to come back to them individually, I can do so.

For clarity, does the committee agree that we have no recommendations in relation to either of the statutory instruments—instruments plural, as I think I said before?

Members indicated agreement.

On that basis, we now move into private session.

12:30 Meeting continued in private until 12:53.