Explanatory Notes

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

2020 asp 17

1 October 2020

Commentary on Provisions

Part 2 – Collection and processing of data

Section 19 – Enforcement of information requirements

165.Subsection (1) provides for the Scottish Ministers to be able, by regulations subject to the affirmative procedure, to make provision for the enforcement of information requirements imposed under section 14(1) or (2) or 15(1) or (2). This will enable sanctions to be applied where any person fails to provide information, or provides false information.

166.Subsection (2) clarifies that the provisions for enforcement include how compliance will be monitored and how non-compliance will be investigated and addressed.

167.Subsection (3) has the effect that, amongst other matters, the regulations may provide for the imposition of monetary penalties for non-compliance, and for the recovery of those penalties. A monetary penalty is a civil penalty rather than a criminal fine.

168.Subsection (4) defines “specified” and “specified manner”, and has the effect in particular that regulations may provide that the amount of a monetary penalty is framed by reference to the income, turnover or profits of a person.