European and External Relations Committee, 31 Mar 2009

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Official Report 236KB pdf

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European Commission Legislative and Work Programme

Item 3 is consideration of the European Commission's legislative and work programme. We have a helpful report from our Brussels officer. Do members have any comments or points that they wish to raise?

I have a point on the key theme of economic and social issues. Page 4 of the report mentions the financial situation and financial reform and states that President Barroso is looking towards early intervention. That is particularly important given what is—unfortunately—happening in financial institutions in Scotland. Early intervention to find out exactly what is going on is important. I look forward to June, when the de Larosière report on financial reform will be discussed at the summer council.

We will certainly keep a watching eye on that.

I have a comment on the Copenhagen conference in December, which is mentioned on page 5. In this country, we recognise that the climate change agenda is becoming increasingly important, but it would be useful to keep abreast of what is happening in Europe in the lead-up to that conference, which will be critical in relation to the interaction between member states.

It might be worth while highlighting to the relevant subject committee that the conference is taking place. It might even wish to be represented at the conference. We will pass on the information and keep a watching brief ourselves.

Page 6 states:

"Discussions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will continue under the Czech Presidency, and may be given added impetus by the publication of the Commission's Budget reform proposals during the Swedish Presidency."

I am sorry for reading that out. I am sure that you can all read it for yourselves. However, we should bear it in mind that that is also one of our priorities for early intervention. If the proposals are to be typed up during the Swedish presidency, we have only nine months in which to influence the process.

That is an important point.

The Commission's electricity unbundling proposal is covered on page 5. I am sure that we have discussed that before. I cannot remember whether I asked the question at the time—

I think that you did.

Yes. I might have got an answer and not remembered it, or I might not have got an answer. What is the Commission's proposal?

I do not know whether the clerks can comment. We will check that out and send you a note on the proposal.

Following what Jim Hume said about the CAP, I note that page 6 of the report states:

"The Commission will launch its ‘no holds barred' Green Paper consultation on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy … on 29 April 2009."

As I mentioned earlier, perhaps before some members had returned, the Czech Republic presidency specifically did not address any fisheries problems, because of course it is a land-locked country, but Sweden will deal with the matter when it takes over. The consultation will continue for the rest of the year.

I had noted that date. I think that it is also in the "Brussels Bulletin". On 29 April, a lot of eyes will be watching the green paper come out. We will certainly want to take a look at it ourselves.

As there are no other comments, do colleagues agree to note the contents of the report?

Members indicated agreement.

Do we agree to advise the subject committees of the discussion that we have had and the key themes that arise from the legislative and work programme?

Members indicated agreement.