Committee
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee 08 December 2020
08 Dec 2020 · S5 · Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Invasive Non-native Species (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc) Regulations 2020 [Draft]
Working through some of the secondary legislation is definitely not an easy challenge. To put things in very simplistic terms, there was a contested area in respect of what was reserved and what was devolved. Through the instrument, we have tried to make the process as straightforward as possible, and we have tried to make which regulations would apply in which circumstances as clear as possible. For example, if somebody was looking to import to Scotland a species that was on the list of concern, the importing and exporting relate to the UK instrument, so they would have to seek a permit from the Secretary of State for Scotland. However, if the person wanted to bring the species into Scotland and wanted to breed or keep it or have it for any of the other uses that are in the regulation, they would have to apply for a permit from the Scottish ministers. I hope that that explains how the two sets of regulations would work alongside each other in practice and that it answers Liz Smith’s question. I will be happy to give more details if that is not sufficient.
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
Item 3 on our agenda is an evidence-taking session on draft regulations. I welcome the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Mairi Gougeon....
The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment (Mairi Gougeon)
SNP
I would like to make some introductory remarks. The purpose of the draft regulations is to ensure that the safeguards against invasive non-native species th...
Mark Ruskell
Green
Thanks very much for that outline, minister. Will NatureScot and SEPA sit on the new committee or the scientific forum? I am trying to work out where they wi...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
I am happy to explain how the committee and the scientific forum will be formed, and I will give a bit of background. An invasive species programme board wa...
Liz Smith
Con
I have a brief question. Obviously, the issue is extremely technical and quite difficult. Are you trying to overcome a time difference in ensuring alignment ...
Mairi Gougeon
SNP
Working through some of the secondary legislation is definitely not an easy challenge. To put things in very simplistic terms, there was a contested area in ...
Liz Smith
Con
Thank you.
The Convener
SNP
No other member wishes to ask a question. We move to agenda item 4. I invite the minister to move motion S5M-23440. Motion moved, That the Environment, Cl...
The Convener
SNP
If members have any comments to make, this is the time to say so by indicating that in the chat function. It does not look like anybody has any comments to m...
The Convener
SNP
I thank the minister and her officials for coming in front of us today.