These Regulations are made by the Scottish Ministers in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraphs 1(1) and (3) and 11M(1) of schedule 2, and paragraph 21(b) of schedule 7, of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c.16). The Regulations are made in order to address failures of retained EU law to operate effectively and other deficiencies arising as a result of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union and to implement the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland in the withdrawal agreement.

These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of genetically modified organisms and pesticides.

No Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations as no significant impact upon business, charities or voluntary bodies is foreseen.