The next item, therefore, is the Food Information (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. I call on the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs to move the motion—Lesley Griffiths.

Motion NDM7163 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales; in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Food Information (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 1 October 2019.

Motion moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. These regulations form part of a wider programme of work undertaken in preparation for our exit from the European Union, to ensure the Welsh statute book works as intended at the point of exit. The regulations amend the Food Information (Wales) Regulations 2014. Currently, the 2014 regulations allow an improvement notice to be served where a person does not comply with EU food labelling requirements to consumers. As a result of EU exit, a new UK food labelling scheme, which will recognise geographical indications and protected food names in the UK, is being developed in readiness for exit day. As a result of this change in the system of food labelling, the regulations seek to allow a transitional period to allow food businesses to continue to meet pre-EU exit labelling requirements, whilst adjusting to the new UK geographical indication protected food name scheme. During this time, improvement notices will not be issued if specified products comply with pre-EU exit labelling requirements. The relevant transition periods are: for specified products placed on the market in the period before exit day until existing stocks of such products are exhausted; for specified wine products held by a person as at exit day until stocks are exhausted; and for specified non-wine products placed on the market within a period beginning with exit day; three years beginning with the day after exit day. A public consultation was undertaken in respect of these changes between 20 May and 28 June 2019. One response was received to the consultation, which fully supported the terms of the proposal.

I have no speakers in this debate, therefore the Minister probably doesn't wish to respond to the debate. 

The proposal, therefore, is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? No. The motion is therefore agreed. 

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.