European and External Relations Committee, 23 Nov 2004

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Official Report 264KB pdf

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Convener's Report

Agenda item 4 is the convener's report, which sets out three points. First, there is a letter from the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care on the Food Standards Agency's proposals to implement EC regulation 178/200, which concerns food law and establishing an EU food agency. Do members wish to raise issues relating to the letter, which has also gone to the convener of the Health Committee and the convener of the Subordinate Legislation Committee? It is pretty straightforward.

I cannot remember what the points of conflict were, but there were concerns about the Feeding Stuffs (Safety Requirements for Feed for Food-Producing Animals) Regulations 2004. I note that the letter has not gone to the Environment and Rural Development Committee. Is there anything that we can do about that?

The letter has come to us from the point of view of ensuring that the right people see the legislation. I am happy to forward it to the convener of the Environment and Rural Development Committee so that the committee can decide what action it requires to take.

Secondly, as I have told the committee, I am anxious to draw the inquiry on the promotion of Scotland overseas to a conclusion as early in the new year as possible. I suspect that we will be able to be clear of it by the end of January, which raises issues about the committee's work plan for the year ahead. The proposal in the report is that we have a committee away day on either 14 January or 24 January to discuss our work plan. Glasgow City Council has kindly agreed to host that event at our convenience. I will get the clerks to talk to members individually to decide on a date for the diary. I ask for prompt responses, because although it is reasonably far away, we have other commitments. The dates are also into Burns season. I think that we come back from recess on 10 January. Members should advise the clerks of their availability immediately afterwards. Although members might express a preference, I hope that they will be able to change their commitments to come on the preferred date.

The third point is that the European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development has expressed its intention to visit Scotland in the spring of 2005. I ask members to agree to invite the committee to visit and to put in place the usual arrangements.

I know that other committees are following that routine. It would be nice if we offered hospitality, such as dinner in the members' restaurant. Now that we have those facilities, it is important that we use them. It would be helpful to talk to members of the committee informally as well as formally.

Is the committee agreed on that point?

Members indicated agreement.