Minutes: 18 May 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private, and to take consideration of its draft annual report in private at its next meeting.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2022 from—

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands

Fiona Eddy, Deputy Head of Animal Welfare Policy and Grant McLarty, Solicitor, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Mairi Gougeon (Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands) moved—S6M-04393—

That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee recommends that the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2022 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government with questions in relation to the instrument.

5. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit:

The Committee took evidence from—

Rt Hon George Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government.

6. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier in the meeting.