Rural Affairs Committee, 15 Feb 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 15, 2000

Official Report 202KB pdf

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Animal Feedingstuffs from Belgium (Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/16)

The next item of subordinate legislation is a similar order, concerning animal feedingstuffs from Belgium.

I am not sure whether this is the appropriate legislation, but over the past week many people in the farming industry have approached me—and, possibly, some other committee members—about the suggestion that animal feed blocks and salt licks should not be imported from the continent. Have we any evidence that such moves are imminent?

I do not think that we have information on that. Items have appeared in the press expressing concern, but I do not think that any instrument covering that issue has been laid.

Most of us would wish to see such an instrument as soon as it appeared. I am sure that it is likely to come before this committee.

I wonder whether media attention over the past week has given rise to the suggestion that there may be an impact on the mineral supplement blocks imported from Europe.

I do not think that there is a connection with this instrument, which supplements the one that we have just agreed and deals with feedingstuffs derived from animal products.

Yes.

Logically, as the wording is exactly the same, I have to re-voice my concerns about the previous statutory instrument.

We will refer the Health and Community Care Committee to the concern voiced previously.

I am happy with that.

Are there any further comments on the instrument?

Members indicated disagreement.

Are we content that we do not wish to make a detailed report to the Health and Community Care Committee on this instrument?

Members indicated agreement.