Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Members of the Senedd will wish to be aware that I have given consent to the Defra Minister for Animal Welfare and Biosecurity to exercise a subordinate legislation-making power in a devolved area in relation to Wales.
Today, the UK Government has laid the ‘Ivory Prohibitions (Exemptions) (Process and Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2025’ (“the UKSI”) before the UK Parliament in exercise of powers conferred by the Ivory Act 2018 (“the Act”).
The Act prohibits dealing in items made of, or containing ivory, with limited exemptions for dealing in ivory items that do not contribute directly or indirectly to the ongoing poaching of ivory species. Section 2 of the Act provides for an exemption certificate to be issued for “pre-1918 ivory items of outstandingly high artistic, cultural or historical value”.
The UKSI amends the Act by adding additional organisations (Prescribed Institutions) to the list of institutions which possess the required knowledge and expertise to provide the Secretary of State with advice on applications for exemption certificates under Section 2 to the Act.
The UKSI will add the following Prescribed Institutions to the Act:
- National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside;
- National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland; and
- National Museum of Wales.
I am pleased that a ʶ museum is being added to the list of ‘Prescribed Institutions’. Wales has a rich cultural heritage and by recognising the expertise within the National Museum of Wales, the SI affords improved access to assessors for the people of Wales
Impact the instrument may have on the Senedd’s legislative competence and/or the ʶ Ministers’ executive competence:
The UKSI does not diminish or undermine the powers of ʶ Ministers in any way, and they do not create, amend or remove any functions conferred on the ʶ Ministers.
I would like to reassure the Senedd it is normally the policy of the ʶto legislate for Wales in matters of devolved competence. However, in certain circumstances there are benefits in working collaboratively with the UK Government where there is a clear rationale for doing so. The UK has had a uniform approach to this policy for many years and continued alignment to ensure consistency is crucial.
ʶ Ministers continue to be the ‘appropriate national authority’ for regulations which apply only in relation to Wales.