Official Report 271KB pdf
We will consider four Scottish statutory instruments that are subject to negative procedure. Members have a copy of each instrument and a note from the clerk, which sets out the purpose of the instruments and issues that have been drawn to the committee's attention by the Subordinate Legislation Committee.
Food Enzymes (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/435)
The regulations provide for the execution and enforcement in Scotland of certain European Union regulations and directives on the use of food enzymes. The Subordinate Legislation Committee raised an issue with the Scottish Government in relation to conduct that constitutes an offence under the regulations, and has reported that it is satisfied with the response that it received. If members have no comments, is the committee content to make no recommendation to the Parliament on the regulations?
Members indicated agreement.
Food Additives (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/436)
The regulations will revoke the Food Additives Labelling Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/1978), the Sweeteners in Food Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3123), the Colours in Food Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3124) and the Miscellaneous Food Additives Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3187). The regulations will also re-enact, with changes and on a transitional basis, certain provisions of those instruments.
Members indicated agreement.
Food (Jelly Mini-Cups)(Emergency Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/437)
This is going to be interesting. The regulations, which extend only to Scotland, will implement a European Commission decision to suspend the placing on the market of, and import of, jelly mini-cups that contain specified food additives. The Subordinate Legislation Committee made no comment on the instrument. Do members want to comment? Will no one even ask what a jelly mini-cup is? Members cannot be awake. Surely the question must be on your minds.
You have challenged us, convener, so I will say that I know what a jelly mini-cup is: it is a product that dispenses a dose of confectionery down the throat. If jelly mini-cups are a danger to humans, I am slightly concerned that they could also be a danger to animals. The regulations seem to imply that they can still be given to animals. What are our views on animal health in this context?
I think that we should refer your query to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee. I am not sure whether people feed jelly mini-cups to sheep—I see that Ross Finnie is objecting.
No, no. I sense that you are beginning to wish that you had not asked us to comment on the regulations.
Apart from that comment, which I have no doubt is now on the record for the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, are members content not to make any recommendations to the Parliament on the regulations?
Members indicated agreement.
Food Supplements, Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/438)
The regulations will amend existing regulations on food supplements and the addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances to foodstuffs to comply with updated European Union regulations.
Members indicated agreement.