European Committee, 25 Jan 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 25, 2000

Official Report 129KB pdf

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Convener's Report

A document has been circulated to members on the work programme of the Portuguese presidency. Are there any questions or comments on that?

I was in Brussels yesterday at a meeting of the Committee of the Regions' employment committee, where we were fortunate enough to have a presentation on the work programme of the Portuguese presidency. I was pleased to see how prominently employment features in the work programme. Stephen Imrie has picked that up in the briefing paper, which is very good.

Something else arose in the course of our discussion that might be of interest to the committee. At an earlier meeting, we discussed the national action plan on employment. A paper submitted yesterday to the Committee of the Regions made it clear that the European Council has advised that European regional and local authorities should have a role in scrutinising national employment plans. It might be useful for this committee to consider making that an agenda item for a future meeting, given that the input of local and regional authorities seems to be required.

That is helpful. Stephen Imrie will discuss with Irene Oldfather whether there should be a report on that or whether it should be an agenda item.

The clerk has pointed out that we overlooked an item. The Rural Affairs Committee discussed and noted SP 377 (EC Ref No 11025/99 COM(99) 437 final) and the Transport and the Environment Committee discussed and noted SP 422 (EC Ref No 11156/99, SEC(99) 1302 final). It is recommended that we, too, note those documents, but the clerk suggests that we write for more information on SP 377.

Following a discussion with colleagues, I want to draw members' attention to a matter on which they might wish to seek clarification from the Scottish Executive. SP 377 discusses a new tool—a vaccination programme—for controlling and containing infectious salmon anaemia. We could ask the Scottish Executive to seek clarification from the European Commission on the availability of Community financial assistance to offset the loss that has been suffered as a result of the implementation of Community measures.

Is it agreed that we should seek clarification on that from the Scottish Executive?

Members indicated agreement.

Are there any comments on the European white paper on food safety? No.

Our next meeting is on 8 February.

Meeting closed at 14:41.