SL(6)786 – The Charges for Residues Surveillance (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations

Background and Purpose

These Regulations amend the Charges for Residues Surveillance Regulations 2006 (‘the 2006 Regulations’) to update the charges payable to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (‘VMD’) in relation to the surveillance for residues of veterinary medicines and certain other substances in food animals and animal products as part of the National Residues Control Programme (NRCP).

The VMD manages the NRCP, an annual programme of testing and sampling of products of animal origin destined for the food chain. These Regulations increase the rate ceilings to ensure the VMD is able to continue to recover the costs of delivering this programme in future.

Procedure

Senedd annulment procedure.

The Regulations were made by the Welsh Ministers before they were laid before the Senedd. The Senedd can annul the Regulations within 40 days (excluding any days when the Senedd is: (i) dissolved, or (ii) in recess for more than four days) of the date they were laid before the Senedd.

Technical Scrutiny

No points are identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.2 in respect of this instrument.

Merits Scrutiny  

The following point is identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.3 in respect of this instrument.

1. Standing Order 21.3(ii) – that it is of political or legal importance or gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the Senedd.

The Explanatory Memorandum (“EM”) does not mention similar statutory instruments being prepared by the UK Government or the Scottish Ministers. Previous EMs in relation to regulations concerning charges for residues surveillance have outlined the importance for alignment, as divergence would lead to “considerable disruption to industry”. Further explanation would be helpful to establish if the coming into force date of 1 April 2026 for these Regulations is the same as the coming into force dates for statutory instruments laid by the UK Government and Scottish Government in respect of food business operators in England and Scotland respectively.

Welsh Government response

A Welsh Government response is required.

Legal Advisers

Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

10 March 2026