Official Report 277KB pdf
Products of Animal Origin<br />(Third Country Imports) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/445)<br />Bovines and Bovine Products (Trade) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/449)
Item 3 is consideration of two items of subordinate legislation under the negative procedure. I will mention briefly that both statutory instruments are in breach of the 21-day rule. However, it is also fair to point out that, as members are aware, I wrote recently to the minister to draw to his attention our discomfort about the number of times that that rule is being breached. Unless members disagree, I propose that we do not comment too heavily on the breaches, as the two instruments crossed with our letter to the minister.
Are you saying that the minister did not receive our strong letter to him before he produced the instruments?
Yes.
Okay. On this occasion I will accept that explanation, although I feel very strongly about the issue.
I think that the whole committee does. We made that clear in our letter. The Executive can be forgiven this time because our letter and the instruments crossed in the mail.
Just before we come to the end of our formal meeting, it is worth drawing members' attention to the fact that this is Jake Thomas's last meeting as a member of the Rural Development Committee's clerking team. Jake is moving to an infinitely less enjoyable position in the legislation team; I do not know what he has done to deserve that. He has been a faithful servant to the committee and it is right that we record our appreciation of all his work, including the choice of venues around the country.
Meeting continued in private until 17:22.