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Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Grants) (Scotland) Amendment Scheme 2003<br />(SSI 2003/518)
Although no points of substance arise, our European law expert has suggested that the scheme could go against the principle that the polluter pays. I need to get the committee's views on that. Should we simply ask that question of the Scottish Executive?
We should just seek clarification.
I agree with that.
Otherwise, no points of substance arise. Is that agreed?
Mink Keeping (Scotland) Order 2003<br />(SSI 2003/528)
No points have arisen that I have written down. Do members want to raise any matters?
I thought that we might ask whether Arran is covered by a separate order, or whether mink keeping is specifically allowed there by Arran's not being included in the order, unlike other islands.
We raised that question at our legal briefing earlier, but we have not got an answer yet.
Arran is in the same position as the rest of Scotland, where a licence is needed.
Mink keeping is forbidden on other islands.
Yes, but not on Arran. It is also forbidden in Caithness and Sutherland, but not in Ross and Cromarty.
We do not know whether it is to do with the swimming ability of mink.
It may be because of the shortness of the channel between Arran and mainland Argyll. We tend to think of Arran as distant from the Ayrshire coast, but it is quite close to Argyll. The issue is perhaps not one that the committee should take up, although it raises an interesting point.
No, but it is interesting and I would like to know the answer.
If somebody could find out, I would be interested in hearing the answer as well.
The committee could perhaps try to find out the Local Government and Transport Committee's view on ferry travel for mink.
I shall see whether I can raise that matter this afternoon.
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