REC/S5/21/5/M

RURAL ECONOMY AND CONNECTIVITY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

5th Meeting, 2021 (Session 5)

Wednesday 10 February 2021

Present:

Peter Chapman John Finnie Angus MacDonald Edward Mountain (Convener) Mike Rumbles Colin Smyth Maureen Watt (Deputy Convener)

Apologies were received from Richard Lyle, Stewart Stevenson.

The meeting opened at 8.45 am.

1. Climate Change Plan: The Committee took evidence from—

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, and Alison Irvine, Director, Transport Strategy and Analysis, Transport Scotland, ;

Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, John Kerr, Head of Agricultural Policy Division, Dave Signorini, Chief Executive, Scottish Forestry, and Simon Fuller, Deputy Director, Rural & Environmental Science and Analytical Services, Scottish Government.

For agenda items 1 and 4—

Edward Mountain declared an interest in a family farming partnership.

Peter Chapman declared an interest as a partner in a farming business.

Jamie Halcro Johnston declared an interest as a partner in an agricultural business.

REC/S5/21/5/M

2. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: 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-

The Plant Health (Place Of Destination) (Phytosanitary Conditions) Regulations 2021.

The Committee agreed to write to the ScottishGovernment to confirm that it is content for consent to be given to thisinstrument and, in doing so, to also raise certain related matters.

3. Climate Change Plan (in private): The Committee reviewed the evidence heard at agenda item 1.

The meeting was suspended at 12.17pm.

The Committee reconvened at 6.00pm to consider the following item—

4. Impact of post-Brexit requirements on Scottish exports and supply chains: The Committee took evidence from—

Mike Park, Chief Executive, Scottish White Fish Producers Association;

Ian McWatt, Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Policy, Science and Operations, Food Standards Scotland;

Belinda Miller, Head of Economic Development & Protective Services, Aberdeenshire Council;

Eddie Green, Head of Cold Chain, DFDS;

Georgina Wright, Head of Sales, Mowi UK;

Tom Gibson, Director of Market Development, Quality Meat Scotland;

Andrew Charles, Partner, J Charles LLP.

The meeting closed at 8.01 pm.

Steve Farrell Clerk to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee Room T3.60 The Edinburgh Tel: 0131 348 5211 Email: [email protected]