Environment and Rural Development Committee, 08 Mar 2006

Meeting date: Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Official Report 257KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

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Foot-and-Mouth Disease<br />(Slaughter and Vaccination) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006/45)<br />TSE (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006/46)

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Sea Fish (Prohibited Methods of Fishing) (Firth of Clyde) Order 2006 (SSI 2006/51)

Temporary loss of sound.

—broadly speaking, we support the suggestion that cod spawning areas should be closed. That is no different from previous years. However, I hope that an end will come to the thought that cod is God and that everything else has to be suspended because of one species. That is something on which we will have to seek more evidence, because there is now increasing evidence to the effect that cod are elsewhere for reasons other than overfishing.

Two areas are outlined; people will still be allowed to fish for nephrops in area 1, but in area 2 there is to be no dredging for nephrops, although people will still be allowed to go scallop fishing. I am interested to hear why area 2 is different from area 1.

Those are specific questions and points of concern. I suggest that we capture the questions that Rob Gibson and Ted Brocklebank have asked and pass them to the minister for a written response. I do not think that you are questioning our handling the statutory instrument, are you?

No.

Your concerns are more about the rationale behind the instrument and about questions that you have been asked.

That is correct.

Is it therefore agreed that we make no recommendation to Parliament on the latter two regulations, and that we consider the other one next week?

Members indicated agreement.

Meeting continued in private until 12:50.