Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

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The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee considered matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.

Background work on Common Frameworks

The Committee considered the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1, holding evidence sessions on the Bill.

The Committee held a number of evidence sessions and round-table events to consider common frameworks that may be required in the fisheries and agriculture sectors.

Date Action
29 January 2020 The Committee received correspondence from the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee on the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill.  The correspondence included references to common frameworks.
6 November 2019 The Committee heard from the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and his officials on agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture issues.  The Cabinet Secretary responded to a question on common frameworks for agriculture and fisheries.
9 October 2019 The Committee held a round-table session on the implications of Brexit for the fisheries sector in Scotland.   The witnesses were asked a question on whether common frameworks were necessary to assure effective fisheries governance once the UK leaves the EU.
18 September 2019 The Committee held a round-table discussion on the implications of Brexit for the agriculture sector.  The session was attended by representatives from  organisations as well as individuals.  The Committee heard from witnesses who were concerned about the repercussions if regulatory frameworks were not implemented and the impact this may have on animal health and welfare standards.
26 June 2019 The Committee received a response from the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity to its letter from 30 May 2019.  The letter set out the ten REC-related common frameworks.  The policy areas included:

-agricultural support;

-organics;

-plant health;

-animal health and welfare; and

-fisheries management.

The letter also laid out the five phases of common framework development.
30 May 2019 The Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity following evidence received by the Committee on the UK’s departure from the EU.
15 May 2019 The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, the then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gave evidence to the Committee via video conference, on the implications for Scotland of the UK’s departure from the European Union. The session included a question on common frameworks.
1 May 2019 The Committee discussed its response to the letter sent by the Finance and Constitution Committee asking for the Committee’s comments on common UK frameworks.
25 March 2019 The Finance and Constitution Committee wrote to the Committee about the role of the Scottish Parliament in scrutinising new powers arising from the UK leaving the EU.

The letter focused on three main areas, including common frameworks that may be required.
8 January 2019 The Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform and the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment.  The letter outlined the key points from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and devolved administrations Ministerial meetings in September and November 2018, which included discussions on the progress of common framework engagement.
31 October 2018 The Committee held an evidence session on agriculture with the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy. The Committee heard details of the progress that had been made on UK common frameworks within the agricultural sector.
29 June 2018 The Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity and the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform which noted that the meeting of Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the devolved administrations in May 2018, included exploratory discussions on possible UK frameworks.
27 June 2018 The Committee took evidence by video conference from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP then Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on the implications for Scotland of the UK’s departure from the EU in relation to agriculture and fisheries. The session included a question on common frameworks.
23 April 2018 The Committee received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity and the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform setting out the key points arising from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and devolved administrations Ministerial meetings held in February and March 2018.  Common frameworks were among  the main items discussed.
21 February 2018 The Committee held two panels on the implications of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (agriculture and fisheries) which included discussion on the development of common frameworks.
11 January 2018 The Committee received correspondence from the Finance and Constitution Committee inviting it to begin considering what common UK frameworks may look like in areas covered by its remit.
8 December 2017 The Committee received an update on the key points from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and devolved administrations meeting held in November 2017.  At the meeting, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs presented draft proposals on what common frameworks in agriculture and fisheries may look like.
29 November 2017 The Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe appeared before the Committee and in his opening statement included an update on discussions taking place on common frameworks.
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