Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 12 and 13 in private.

2. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: The Committee will consider whether the following instruments have been laid under the appropriate procedure—
The Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 [draft] The Trade in Animals and Related Products (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 [draft] The Common Agricultural Policy (Less Favoured Area Support) (EU Exit) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft]

3. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on The Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 [draft] and the Trade in Animals and Related Products (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 [draft] from—
Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, Rachel Coutts, Lawyer, John Speirs, Senior Policy Adviser, Keith White, Lawyer, and Jesus Gallego, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Scottish Government.

4. Subordinate legislation: Mairi Gougeon (Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment) to move—
Motion S5M-23354— That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Plant Health (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.

5. Subordinate legislation: Mairi Gougeon (Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment) to move—
Motion S5M-23469—That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Trade in Animals and Related Products (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.

6. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on the Common Agricultural Policy (Less Favoured Area Support) (EU Exit) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft] and the Direct Payments to Farmers (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] from—
Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, John Kerr, Head of Agricultural Policy Division, Andrew Crawley, Lawyer, Scottish Government Legal Directorate (SGLD), and Lynne Stewart, Head of Direct Payments, Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate, Scottish Government.

7. Subordinate legislation: Fergus Ewing (Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism) to move—
Motion S5M-23419 — That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Common Agricultural Policy (Less Favoured Area Support) (EU Exit) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.

8. Subordinate legislation: Fergus Ewing (Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism) to move—
Motion S5M-23264 —That the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee recommends that the Direct Payments to Farmers (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 [draft] be approved.

9. Salmon farming in Scotland inquiry update: The Committee will take evidence from-
Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, Alastair Mitchell, Deputy Director Aquaculture and Recreational Fisheries, and Mike Palmer, Deputy Director, Marine Planning and Policy, Scottish Government.

10. Implications of Brexit for the rural economy: The Committee will take evidence from—
Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, John Kerr, Head of Agricultural Policy Division, and Allan Gibb, Acting Deputy Director - Sea Fisheries, Scottish Government.

11. European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: The Committee will consider 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 Direct Payments, Spirit Drinks and Wine (Amendment) Regulations 2020

12. Salmon farming in Scotland inquiry update: The Committee will review the evidence heard.

13. Implications of Brexit on devolution: The Committee will consider correspondence to the Finance and Constitution Committee.

14. Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider a draft Stage 1 report.
The Committee will reconvene at 2.00 pm to consider item 15.

15. Construction and procurement of ferry vessels in Scotland (in private): The Committee will consider a draft report. (to follow)