The Charges for Residues Surveillance Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2026: final business & regulatory impact assessment (BRIA)

Section 6: Implementation and Review

6. Implementation plans

The proposed update to charges would come into force for Scottish businesses from 29 October 2026, with further updates applying from 1 April 2027. No significant policy changes are being proposed and no changes would be made regarding how charges are collected from food business operators.

Information regarding the charges made payable to the VMD for residue surveillance can be found on the VMD’s website. Updated information on the charges have been published in advance of these new rates coming into force across the rest of Great Britain earlier this year.

6.1 Post implementation review

No compliance reporting is immediately anticipated given the proposals solely update fees in relation to the residues surveillance programme and do not update any elements of the programme itself. The VMD will monitor the charges on an ongoing basis to ensure they are set at a level to recover full costs in relation to the NRCP. The instrument does not include a statutory review clause because the power by which this instrument is made is being exercised to amend provisions imposing charges.

The Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the VMD regularly monitor the delivery of the programme and publicly consult when revisions to charges are considered necessary. It is anticipated that the Scottish Government will revisit the legislation within 5 years given the aim to continue delivering the programme on a full cost recovery basis. Business engagement with the programme will be monitored to gather evidence on its effectiveness and to inform any necessary amendments or equality obligations. A further public consultation will be brought forward if changes are required.