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Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/87)
We move on to agenda item 2, which is subordinate legislation. I suggest that we deal with the third instrument first, because officials are here to deal with the Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/87). Do any members of the committee want to make any points about the regulations?
Are our visitors satisfied that the imported meat meets the hygiene and inspection standards that apply in this country? Are they satisfied that hygiene, processing and inspection in our country are adequate for reaching the quality standards that we expect?
I will first apologise, because I represent animal health and welfare, which has no input into the legislation that is under discussion. The general subject of import controls is being examined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and SEERAD. We will come up with a consolidated policy and we will examine imports, particularly post foot-and-mouth disease. If you want a more substantial reply, I can provide one in consultation with my colleagues at the Food Standards Agency Scotland.
Are you saying that you are pressing a matter of concern?
Yes.
Thank you.
It would be helpful to the committee if you could provide us with a response in writing. I appreciate that the reason you were called to the committee this morning was because a member had intimated that they had specific questions that were of relevance to you. Unfortunately, the member concerned is not with us this morning so we cannot ask the questions that she intended to ask.
Could I ask for a response to the second point that I raised?
Sorry. What was your second point?
Are you satisfied that the means of processing, hygiene and inspection in Scotland are up to the standards that you expect?
As the veterinary adviser I wear two hats, in that I am veterinary adviser to the agricultural department and to the health department in the Food Standards Agency. Within that remit, the structure of inspection is such that the Meat Hygiene Service carries out that function for the Food Standards Agency. The official veterinary surgeon is the person responsible within an abattoir, a cutting plant and a cold store for ensuring that conditions and standards are met that are set by directive and which we have transposed into the fresh meat regulations and poultry meat regulations.
Is the system adequately policed, monitored and regulated?
It is very heavily regulated and monitored. Lots of checks and balances exist in the system.
The Subordinate Legislation Committee has made no comments and no motion to annul has been lodged, so I recommend that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Is that agreed?
I thank Kate Kerr and James Douse for coming along this morning. We will receive more information from you in writing.
National Assistance<br />(Sums for Personal Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/85)
We return to the first instrument under agenda item 2, which is the National Assistance (Sums for Personal Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/85). No comments have been received from members, the Subordinate Legislation Committee has made no comments and no motion to annul has been lodged. I recommend that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Is that agreed?
National Health Service<br />(Optical Charges and Payments) and<br />(General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002<br />(SSI 2002/86)
The second instrument is the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) and (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/86). No comments have been received from members, the Subordinate Legislation Committee has made no comments and no motion to annul has been lodged. I recommend that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Is that agreed?
National Health Service<br />(General Dental Services and Dental Charges) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/99)
The fourth instrument is the National Health Service (General Dental Services and Dental Charges) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/99). No comments have been received from members. The Subordinate Legislation Committee has asked the Executive to prioritise consolidation of the regulations, as it does from time to time, but no motion to annul has been lodged. The recommendation is that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Is that agreed?
National Health Service<br />(Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/100)
The fifth instrument is the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/100). No comments have been received from members, the Subordinate Legislation Committee has made no comments and no motion to annul has been lodged. The recommendation is that the committee make no recommendation on the instrument. Is that agreed?
NHS Education for Scotland Order 2002 (SSI 2002/103)
The sixth instrument is the NHS Education for Scotland Order 2002 (SSI 2002/103). No comments have been received from members, the Subordinate Legislation Committee has made no comments and no motion to annul has been lodged. The recommendation is that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Is that agreed?
Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education and NHS Education for Scotland (Transfer of Staff) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/105)
The seventh instrument is the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education and NHS Education for Scotland (Transfer of Staff) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/105). No comments have been received from members, the Subordinate Legislation Committee has made no comments and no motion to annul has been lodged. The recommendation is that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument. Is that agreed?
National Health Service (General Medical Services and Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/111)
The eighth instrument is the National Health Service (General Medical Services and Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/111). No comments have been received from members. The Subordinate Legislation Committee has made some minor points, which it has raised with the Executive, but no motion to annul has been lodged. The recommendation is that the committee make no recommendation in relation to the instrument.
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