Transport and the Environment Committee, 16 Jan 2002

Meeting date: Wednesday, January 16, 2002

Official Report 277KB pdf

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Aquaculture Research Contract

Agenda item 3 is on our inquiry into aquaculture and the proposed tendering arrangements for a research contract. The committee reporters have prepared a paper, which was distributed with members' papers for today's meeting.

As the Scottish Executive intends to proceed with its own research contract at this stage, the paper proposes that the committee reporters monitor the progress of the Executive's contract with a view to making a bid for funding for external research later in 2002 to examine any gaps between the Executive's research and other research that the committee believes is worth while. I invite Maureen Macmillan to comment, as she is the only reporter present. Robin Harper will have an opportunity to comment if he reappears.

I am extremely pleased with the developments that are taking place in the Executive on aquaculture. The issues that the Executive will research are those into which the committee wants research to be conducted. When we can identify gaps in scientific knowledge, we will be able to make progress on our own research. That means that we do not have to rush to prepare a proposal for the conveners liaison group—we can wait to see the results of the Executive's research before deciding how to supplement that research. Do members wish to ask Robin Harper or me any questions on our paper? I think that I am right to say that both Robin and I are happy with the situation that has developed.

Yes, absolutely.

The Executive will not take forward its work on its own, as the committee will be closely involved through Robin and me.

Robin, is there anything that you would like to add to what the paper says?

Not really. I am perfectly content with the situation, which is a good way forward. We have spent a fair amount of time considering the issues.

Do members wish to express any views or ask the reporters any questions?

I do not want to ask the reporters a question, but I think that we should bear in mind the issue of principle that I have raised two or three times in relation to committees funding fundamental research. We should flag up that principle and get it into the system through the conveners liaison group and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body at an early stage. We could do that before we submit a bid; the principle is worth flagging up so that we do not have to deal with both the bid and the principle at the same time.

Both Des McNulty and I can raise that issue at the conveners liaison group as a general principle. If the committee proceeds in line with the timetable that has been outlined, we may well submit a bid before the next deadline, which is the end of March.

Are members content to agree the reporters' recommendations?

Members indicated agreement.

It would be appropriate for us to thank Tracey Hawe for the help that she gave us.

We pay due thanks to Tracey Hawe for her stalwart role in our continuing inquiry. She will be the world expert in aquaculture by the time we have finished.

I advise that the committee will now move into private session, and I thank members of the public for their attendance.

Meeting continued in private until 12:50.