Rural Affairs Committee, 02 Nov 1999

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 2, 1999

Official Report 293KB pdf

---

EU Regulation

The committee will now consider item 4, a proposal for a European Council regulation that will open a tariff quota for imports of boneless meat from bovine animals. The Scottish Executive's covering note is attached at the end of the papers from Europe and Westminster. We should note that the Scottish Executive's information says that the regulation has no Scottish interest. Does the committee have any views on that?

We have with us Mr John Dowie, who is able to clarify any issues that might arise. [Interruption.] I thought that Mr Dowie was here to speak to the covering paper, but I was misguided. Do we require any clarification on the item concerning the importation of boneless dried beef?

Tell us where we can buy viande des Grisons. It would be interesting to try it.

Are we content that this matter is largely irrelevant to the Scottish market?

Members indicated agreement.

We note the report and will advise the European Committee accordingly.