Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill

# Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill Following Scotland's departure from the European Union, a significant body of EU agricultural law was retained within Scottish legislation to maintain continuity and regulatory stability in the sector. However, this retained EU law created complications for Scottish agriculture policy, particularly around data management and the administration of support schemes. The bill addresses the need to clarify the Scottish Parliament's authority to modify, repeal, and update this inherited legal framework, while also establishing clearer mechanisms for handling agricultural data held by Scottish authorities. The legislation responds to practical challenges facing farmers, regulators, and policymakers as Scotland develops its own distinctive agricultural policy direction post-Brexit. The bill introduces powers allowing Scottish Ministers to modify or repeal retained EU law relating to agriculture, giving greater flexibility to adapt regulations to Scottish circumstances without requiring primary legislation for each change. Importantly, it establishes provisions governing the use, storage, and sharing of agricultural data, including information collected through support schemes and monitoring programmes. The bill aims to balance the need for regulatory clarity and modernisation with the continuation of essential safeguards and standards that protect the sector's interests. As a Government bill, it forms part of the Scottish Executive's broader programme to consolidate control over agricultural policy and establish Scotland's independent regulatory framework in this area.

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