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We move on to the consideration of three negative instruments. It might be helpful to consider the enzootic bovine leukosis regulations first, and then to look at the two vehicle disposal regulations together. I refer members to paper S4/11/13/2.
When I did my preparation, the way in which I read the documentation was that the vehicle disposal regulations were to be discussed on 7 December, but perhaps something has happened in the interim.
We will deal with that in a second, after we have dealt with the enzootic bovine leukosis regulations.
Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/390)
If no one has any issues to raise, does the committee agree that it does not wish to make any recommendations on the regulations?
The regulations appear to be quite positive.
They do indeed.
Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles (Prescribed Sums and Charges etc) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/394)
Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/395)
We will now move on to deal with the issue that the deputy convener raised, which relates to the cover note for SSI 2011/394 and SSI 2011/395. We have received a letter, dated yesterday, from Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, about the regulations, copies of which I have circulated to members.
Annabelle Ewing made the point that the regulations are to be discussed on 7 December. When I looked at them, I had concerns, as a result of which I laid two motions to annul, which will be discussed on 7 December. My concerns arose from various e-mails that we received, one of which was from Mr George McPhie of George McPhie & Son.
Thank you for your point of view. Other members may wish to speak before we make our decision as a committee.
I have just a brief point. I welcome the correspondence from the minister and I look forward to the whole issue being discussed with the stakeholders in due course.
The motions have been lodged, but it is possible to withdraw them before we have a discussion next week. It is possible to ask that Richard Lyle consider his position so as to avoid our having to have the discussion next week, given what the cabinet secretary has told us. Do other members have a view?
I think that all committee members will have received at least some e-mails—I am not entirely sure whether I received all the submissions. The point is well made that there needs to be a proper discussion of the full implications of the measures, so I welcome the cabinet secretary’s letter of 29 November.
The process next week would be that the motions to annul the statutory instruments would be moved and then there would be discussion.
I thank you for your advice, convener. I will take steps tomorrow to withdraw my motions to annul.
That would help. I ask members to agree that we accept the letter from the cabinet secretary. It will be possible to have a fairer discussion about the two instruments in due course and to take evidence on them, as has been suggested. It makes it easier if we agree now to follow that process and to thank Dick Lyle for his offer to withdraw the motions to annul. Is that agreed?
Spring Traps Approval (Scotland) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/393)
The order is not subject to parliamentary procedure. I refer members to the paper RACCE/S4/11/13/4. If members have no comments, I ask the committee to note the instrument. Is that agreed?
The next meeting of the committee will be on 7 December. The agenda will be decided in the light of who is available and our work programme. I thank you for your efforts and the clarity of your questions to our MEP colleagues.