Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Act 2020

22 Requirement for new Scottish agricultural policy

(1) The Scottish Ministers must lay a report before the Scottish Parliament on progress towards establishing a new Scottish agricultural policy.

(2) A report under subsection (1) must include—

(a) the Scottish Ministers’ policies and proposals as to—

(i) the sustainability of Scottish agriculture and its resilience to climate change,

(ii) the simplicity of any modified or future agricultural payment schemes,

(iii) the profitability of Scottish agriculture and the agri-food supply chain,

(iv) the support and encouragement to innovations and good business practice,

(v) the inclusion of new entrants,

(vi) the improvement of productivity of Scottish agriculture,

(b) an outline of any legislation that will be required to implement the policies and proposals mentioned in paragraph (a) and a timeline of when that legislation will be introduced,

(c) the details and result of any consultation undertaken on proposed policies and proposals and any required legislation under paragraph (b),

(d) any other matter related to Scottish agriculture that the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

(3) A report under subsection (1) must be laid before the Parliament no later than 31 December 2024.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), reference to legislation being introduced means—

(a) the introduction of a Bill for an Act of the Scottish Parliament,

(b) the making, or laying before the Parliament of a draft, of regulations in exercise of powers in an Act of Parliament or an Act of the Scottish Parliament.