Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Meeting date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Official Report 691KB pdf
Contents
- Attendance
- South of Scotland Enterprise Bill: Stage 1
- European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 (Public Service Obligations in Transport) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Agriculture (Transfer of Functions) (EU Exit) (No 2) Regulations 2019
Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Common Agricultural Policy (Financing, Management and Monitoring Supplementary Provisions) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Common Fisheries Policy (Transfer of Functions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Item 3 is consideration of five consent notifications. All the statutory instruments are being laid in the UK Parliament, in relation to the European Union (Withdrawal Act) 2018.
One of the SIs is category A, two are category B and two are partly category B, to the extent that the transition from the EU to a UK framework would be a major and significant development. Are there any comments from the committee?
I have a small point to make about the regulations on the common agricultural policy and its replacement. The denomination in which the calculation of payments is made will continue to be euros even after EU exit, but I note that it is stated that that is only to make things easier in the transition year that will cover our being in the EU and our no longer being in it. Subsequently, the denomination in which the calculation is made will be changed. It is important to put that observation on the record, because others who read what the regulations will do might be slightly confused. In addition, not much information is provided about when and how the return to sterling would be achieved. Although I imagine that that is probably in someone’s plan, the information that is in front of us does not set that out.
As the committee is considering regulations on the CAP, I should make a declaration of interests: I am a member of a farming partnership. However, I do not intend to say anything on the regulations in question. Any other member who intends to speak and who wishes to make a declaration of interests is welcome to do so.
I have noticed what could be a typing error or a mistake. On page 2 of paper REC/S5/19/4/4, reference is made to the “Agriculture (Transfer of Functions) (EU Exit) (No 2) Regulations 2018” but, on page 10, reference is made to the “Agriculture (Transfer of Functions) (EU Exit) (No 2) Regulations 2019”.
It is interesting to note that we are talking about 127 amendments—an amazing number—including changes to regulations on wine and CAP financing, management and monitoring. With regard to the common fisheries policy regulations, 60 amendments are proposed, which people might want to analyse.
It would be interesting to find out whether the reference to different years that I mentioned relates to a changeover, or whether it is just a typo.
We will check that out and get back to you.
My query relates to the statutory instrument on public service obligations in transport, which affects PSO services on rail, bus and tram. I believe that the rail aspects are a wholly reserved matter but that the areas of bus and tram might be devolved. Our note states that article 4 will limit the maximum duration of public service contracts to 10 years, but it does not say whether that is a change from the existing position. Does it represent an increase or a decrease in the current period, or just a continuation of it?
A couple of points have been raised that require clarification. I am happy for the committee to write to the Government to seek that clarification.
On that basis, does the committee agree to write to the Scottish Government to confirm that it is content for consent to be given to the UK statutory instruments that are referred to in the notifications and to request a response from the Scottish Government on the wider policy matters that have been identified?
Members indicated agreement.
11:43 Meeting continued in private until 12:24.