Item 12 is the Plant Health (Amendment etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, and I call on the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs to move the motion—Lesley Griffiths. 

Motion NDM7507 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Plant Health (Amendment etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 are made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 24 November 2020.

Motion moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I move the motion. These amending regulations impact on three pieces of Welsh legislation: the Plant Health etc. (Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2018, the Official Controls (Plant Health and Genetically Modified Organisms) (Wales) Regulations 2020, and the Plant Health (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Part 2 rectifies deficiencies in retained EU law that would prevent the Welsh Ministers from being able to deliver workable legislation on plant health. If approved, the regulations will be made in exercise of powers under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to correct these deficiencies. The operability amendments contained in these regulations contribute to the creation of a single market, covering GB and the Crown dependencies. The EU will become a third country and, as a result, be subject to third country import controls. The current policy of risk-based plant health controls applied under EU legislation will continue. However, the regime will now focus on risks to GB rather than risks to the EU. Plant health controls on material imported from other third countries will continue to be applied. Internal controls will also continue to apply to movement of goods within the GB internal market. 

Part 3 revokes the Plant Health (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, elements of which correct legislation that has since been revoked. Diolch. 

I call on the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, Mick Antoniw.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. We considered and reported on these regulations yesterday. Our report identified two merits points under Standing Order 21.3. Our first point noted that the Secretary of State has been consulted regarding these regulations. Such consultation is required under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 for EU exit regulations that come into force before the end of the implementation period.

Our second point noted that the regulations set out and amend complex and intricate rules on plant health. We were unclear about the reasoning behind some of the changes, particularly changes to various fees. We welcome the Minister's helpful response to this reporting point, which sets out in greater detail the background to the changes. We would encourage Welsh Government to consider including this level of detail in future explanatory memoranda. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.

The Minister to reply to the debate. 

Thank you to the Chair, and just to say I'm pleased my response helped Members with these regulations, and take on board the point about the explanatory memorandum. Diolch. 

Thank you. The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? No. Therefore the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.24, unless a Member objects, the two motions under item 13 on our agenda and item 14—item 13 being the Direct Payments to Farmers and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, and 14 the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020—will be grouped for debate but with separate votes. Does any Member object? No.