10. The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments and Saving Provision) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:40 pm on 15 December 2020.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 4:40, 15 December 2020

(Translated)

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion. These regulations that we're discussing today make necessary changes to domestic legislation that applies to Wales on food hygiene and food compositional standards, on feed, and also labelling and the composition and standard of food. There are three main purposes to these changes: first of all, to ensure that a range of provision in Welsh domestic law reflects the Northern Ireland protocol; secondly, to address deficiencies in Welsh domestic legislation arising from EU exit; and thirdly, to account for any recent changes made to EU law that we wish to retain.

This will ensure that Welsh obligations under the Northern Ireland protocol will be delivered, and also that Welsh legislation already in place that we want to retain directly from the EU will continue to work effectively, following the end of the transition period. The Welsh Government's priority is to maintain high standards in terms of food safety and to safeguard consumers, and in this country, we enjoy very high standards. So, I want to be clear, this instrument that we're bringing forward today will not relax the robust legal situation here in Wales at present. The changes proposed through these regulations are necessary to ensure the ongoing operation of the statute book in Wales following the end of the transition period, and also to provide a smooth transition for businesses.

Finally, if these regulations are approved, Parts 1 and 2 of the regulations will come into force immediately, before the end of the transition period, and Parts 3 and 4 will come into force at the end of the transition period. These regulations will support a smooth transition for businesses, they will ensure that the high standards in terms of food and feed and safeguarding consumers that we currently enjoy will be maintained for the future. Thank you.