Hansard

I am pleased to join the committee to consider the draft Food Safety Act 1990 Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2026. As the committee will be aware, I am advised on food safety standards and labelling by Food Standards Scotland. The proposed minor technical amendments arise as a consequence of the UK Government’s decision to leave the European Union and the need to ensure that the statute book in Scotland remains operable. Food Standards Scotland worked diligently with the Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Government to update “EU law” references to “retained EU law” references where they were found.

The instrument relates to a deficiency in the 1990 act, which provides the legal foundation for food safety standards in Great Britain. The amendments to the 1990 act were originally going to be made by a GB statutory instrument. However, once it became apparent that the Food Standards Agency and the UK Government were pausing the GB SI, Food Standards Scotland and the Scottish Government agreed that the responsible approach would be to introduce a Scottish statutory instrument instead. The approach serves to enhance the clarity and accessibility of the devolved statute book and give the Parliament reassurance that orderly preparations are being made in Scotland for an EU reset. I stress that the amendments are technical in nature and do not amount to any change in policy. They are necessary to ensure that the statute book is brought up to date. There will be no impact on businesses or any other stakeholder group. I ask the committee to agree to the proposed instrument, and I am happy to take any questions.