Rural Development Committee, 18 Jun 2002

Meeting date: Tuesday, June 18, 2002

Official Report 138KB pdf

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European Policies (Scrutiny)

Item 5 has the rather grand title of scrutiny of European policies. Members have received a copy of a paper in my name. The paper has been produced as a result of previous discussions about the work programme, in which the committee acknowledged how heavily its remit is influenced by European Union legislation. We agreed that we should consider how we could engage more effectively with European developments. The paper in my name invites us to consider the establishment of an on-going system, which would allow the committee to stay more up to date. Under item 7, we will discuss consideration of specific European policy areas, but there are a number of general issues to cover and I propose to work through the paper in the order in which the issues appear in it.

First, the paper asks whether the committee is content to seek from the Scottish Executive a regular quarterly overview of European Union policy developments, legislative proposals and transposition arrangements. We can have a debate by all means and members can bring up any points that they want to, but I ask whether members are content for me to write to the minister to seek what I have outlined.

Members indicated agreement.

Splendid. Secondly, the paper invites the committee to authorise the convener, in conjunction with the clerks, to seek further detailed briefings as required from the Scottish Executive on the key dossiers within the rural development portfolio. If members have concerns about any particular area, they can relay their concerns through the clerks or me. Feel free to comment. Are members content with that proposal?

Members indicated agreement.

There is a great danger that consideration of my paper will be much simpler than I had anticipated. Thirdly, the paper invites the committee to agree to consider options for more detailed scrutiny of specific EU proposals as part of the regular work programme discussions. We will go for three in a row. Are members content to agree to that?

Members indicated agreement.

That is truly wonderful.

On one of our visits to Brussels, the point was made that the current situation means that directives are implemented or set in tablets of stone before we know about them. The suggestion was made that we should be in on the ground floor at the start of negotiations. Your paper covers that issue very well indeed.

I am glad you said that. When I went to Scotland in Europe week on the committee's behalf last year, I was given exactly the impression that has been described, which is that we are reactive on decisions, rather than proactive. The committee certainly had a desire to put that right, but given our work programme, it is quite understandable that we are where we are in that regard. If we could implement the findings of the paper, it would help in that process. Thank you for your backing.

We will move into private session to deal with items 6 and 7.

Meeting continued in private until 15:30.