European and External Relations Committee, 02 Dec 2003

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 2, 2003

Official Report 244KB pdf

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Sift

The final item on the agenda is our good friend, the sift. We consider a sift paper on EU documents and draft legislation from Europe at each meeting. As always, documents of special importance have been highlighted.

I have an observation to make on SP 539, which is to be referred to the Equal Opportunities Committee. The Enterprise and Culture Committee might be interested in the proposal, given its potential impact on business and industry.

Okay. I remind members that the paper does also go to the other committees.

Is SP 520 on page 3 of 14 set for a trip to the Environment and Rural Development Committee?

The paper has certainly gone to that committee, but I do not know whether it will deal with the proposal. We can certainly inquire.

That is okay. If the proposal has gone to that committee, it is the responsibility of that committee.

SP 541 affects the vitamins and minerals that can and cannot be added to foodstuffs and is relevant to the work of the Health Committee. Given that committee's experience, I hope that it will consider the matter in detail. Perhaps we should double-check to ensure that it is aware of the matter.

I would like to clarify what happens with the sift document. Each subject committee receives a copy of the pages that are relevant to it, so each will see the list of legislative proposals that are relevant to it. In addition to the basic list, they receive copies of the documents of special importance, so each subject committee is made well aware of the relevant initiatives in its field. Any comments that members make around the table when they discuss the sift paper are also flagged up to them.

I apologise. I note that SP 520 is marked for the Environment and Rural Development Committee at the top of page 3 of 14. Page 4 of 14 is not marked for any committee, unless there is a carry-over.

There is.

Bearing in mind our earlier session with the minister, there is a paper that comments on Lithuania's apparent right to access the north-east Atlantic fisheries. I wonder whether any member has considered that matter or is interested in it.

I will certainly consider it.

As members have no further comments to make on the paper, I remind them that the committee's next meeting is on Tuesday 16 December. A fair number of witnesses, including witnesses from councils, will give evidence on our regional funding inquiry, so a good attendance is important. The meeting should be good. I will see members on 16 December.

Meeting closed at 16:06.