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Item 2 is consideration of a paper that provides an update on current issues that relate to the committee's remit at European Union level. Does anybody have any comments to make on the paper?
To prove that I have read the paper, I want to check whether something is a typo. Under sheep tagging, the paper says that there were
Yes, it is a typo. The clerk pointed it out to me at the start of the meeting.
On the same subject, it is very disappointing that the commissioner responsible flatly refuses to entertain any arguments, no matter how logical they are, about the difficulties of implementing the regulation on sheep tagging. It is worth the committee recording disappointment that that is the case. There are good arguments to be made and it appears that they are simply not being listened to at the minute.
I second that.
You are absolutely right, Peter. Sheep farmers and NFU Scotland have been perfectly reasonable in their requests to Commissioner Vassiliou and they are simply not being listened to.
We should urge the NFUS and the Government to keep pressing for more—
Sanity on the issue.
Not sanity, but more relaxation and a more flexible approach from Europe. We should maintain that position.
We certainly agree on the need for sanity, convener.
Well, not the Tory party.
Are there any other points?
Would a fine consequent to the European Commission's legal action on sewer overflows, which is mentioned under environment, have any implications for the Scottish Government or would it apply only to the United Kingdom Government?
If it is at Kilbarchan—[Interruption.] The clerk informs me that it is being pursued at the UK level.
Meeting continued in private until 12:36.
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