Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill

Judith Cummins Excerpts

Committee of the whole House
Monday 17th November 2025 Commons Chamber

[Judith Cummins in the Chair]

[The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Judith Cummins)]

I remind Members that, in Committee, Members should not address the Chair as “Deputy Speaker”. Please use our names when addressing the Chair. “Madam Chair”, “Chair” and “Madam Chairman” are also acceptable.

Clause 1

The Agreement

Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

[The First Deputy Chairman]

With this it will be convenient to discuss to following:

Clauses 2 to 6 stand part.

Amendment 4, in clause 7, page 5, line 4, at end insert—

“A single report may be submitted for the purposes of sections 5(2)(c) and 6(3)(c), provided that any such single report meets the requirements in sections 5(3) and 6(4).”

This amendment would permit a single report to be provided to the Secretary of State for the purposes of fulfilling reporting requirements under clauses 5 and 6.

Clauses 7 to 11 stand part.

Amendment 5, in clause 12, page 9, line 2, at end insert—

“(aa) relating to the charging of fees under section 11(3)(c),”.

This amendment would require that any regulations enabling the Minister to set fees are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

Clauses 12 and 13 stand part.

Government amendment 1.

Clause 14 stand part.

Government amendment 2.

Clauses 15 to 23 stand part.

Government amendment 3.

Clauses 24 to 26 stand part.

New clause 1—Powers of the Secretary of State: review—

“(1) Within three years beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the exercise of powers conferred on them by virtue of this Act.

(2) A report under this section must include—

(a) a description of the powers used,

(b) the purposes for which they have been used,

(c) an assessment of how effectively they have been used,

(d) an assessment of how their use accords with the objectives of the Agreement.”

This new clause requires the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the exercise of powers conferred on them by this Bill.

New clause 2—Reporting requirements relating to the Act—

“(1) Before the end of the period of two years beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, and at least once every two years thereafter, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the implementation and enforcement of the Act.

(2) The report must include—

(a) data on access to samples;

(b) information relating to the number and nature of DSI views and downloads;

(c) information about the amount and nature of enforcement actions taken;

(d) an assessment of the impact of the Act on business, scientific research, and the fishing industry;

(e) a summary of any regulatory changes made under the Act;

(f) an assessment of the impact of any such regulatory changes.”

This new clause would require the secretary of state to lay a report before Parliament every two years on the effect and enforcement of the Act.

Schedule.