Rural Development Committee, 08 Jan 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 8, 2002

Official Report 272KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Plant Protection Products Amendment<br />(No 3) (Scotland) Regulations 2001<br />(SSI 2001/454)

Item 2 on the agenda is consideration of two statutory instruments under the negative procedure. If no members wish to speak on the first set of regulations, are we all content to make no report?

Members indicated agreement.

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Import and Export Restrictions<br />(Foot-and-Mouth Disease) (Scotland) (No 3) Amendment Regulations 2001<br />(SSI 2001/455)

Do members have any comments on the second instrument?

These regulations mark a very welcome return to free international trade in almost everything that we produce. There are, however, three specific exceptions that relate to wild game in the Scottish Borders and the Stranraer and Dumfries areas of Dumfries and Galloway. In essence, that means that wild deer cannot yet be exported. It is slightly disappointing that there was not an explanation about that. I had to dig quite deep before I found that out.

The curious thing is that we are still not allowed to export these beasts because of a lack of traceability, yet at no stage during the foot-and-mouth outbreak did we identify the wild deer in those areas as a potential reservoir of infection, and no cull was carried out. It is slightly disappointing to find out that we are still restricted at this stage. However, we do not need to hold back the regulations too much, because I understand that the issue will return in two, three or four weeks' time, and that that particular restriction is likely to be lifted. It was odd to find that we are restricted on something that, according to veterinary advice, was not an issue. Having said all that, no one has contacted the Scottish Executive to make a point about it.

I can assure you, living in Galloway as I do, that the deer population was very much put under the microscope, at least locally, if not nationally, and that there was even talk at the time of a cull of the entire deer population. It has been of concern to the vets involved that there might be a residue of the foot-and-mouth virus among the deer population, so I can see why there was considerable local concern about that—although it may never have hit the national headlines—and I can see why there are restrictions. I agree that the matter should be returned to fairly shortly, and that the restriction should be lifted.

I understand that the matter will be returned to shortly.

That will complete the process, I am delighted to say. Thank you for bringing up that point, Mr Stevenson. I take it that you do not wish us to take any other action.

No, I do not.

Are members content for us not to make any further suggestions in our report to the Parliament?

Members indicated agreement.