Minutes: 15 June 2022

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Plant Health (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 and the consent notification for the Official Controls (Plant Health) (Frequency of Checks) Regulations 2022 from—

Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity;

Caspian Richards, Head of Policy and Pesticide Survey Unit, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate and Rachel Coutts, Lawyer, Scottish Government.

3. UK subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered a proposal by the Scottish Government to consent to the UK Government legislating using the powers under the Act in relation to the following UK statutory instrument proposal—

Official Controls (Plant Health) (Frequency of Checks) Regulations 2022

The Committee agreed that the provisions set out in the notifications should be included in the UK SI.

4. Subordinate legislation:

Lorna Slater (Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity) moved—S6M-04876—

That the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee recommends that the Plant Health (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

5. Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Kirsty Jenkins, Policy Officer, OneKind;

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn, Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;

Robbie Marsland, Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland, League Against Cruel Sports;

Dr Pete Goddard, Member, Scottish Animal Welfare Commission;

and then from—

Rt Hon. Lord Bonomy.

6. Impact of EU exit on the rural affairs and islands remit (in private):

The Committee considered candidates for the post of fisheries policy adviser.