Chamber and committees

Responsibility for this issue rests with the Food Standards Agency who have advised me that this matter was discussed by EU scientific experts on 3-4 April. The formal report of the meeting is expected shortly, though it is expected to be generally supportive of the principle of the tiered approach. The agency will consider the scientific report, along with the requirements for an enforcement regime to maintain consumer safety, before making final recommendations. If changes to subordinate legislation are required, these will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity.

It is too early to say how the zoning might affect livestock prices. The matter will be kept under review.

Information on the number of hotels, boarding houses etc. with rateable values of £12,000 or less was given in the answer to question S1W-14858. Data on licensed hotel premises are not held separately.

The spread of foot-and-mouth disease between livestock units appears mainly to have been by direct animal to animal contact or through people who have been in contact with animals acting as a conduit. Foot and mouth has been a particular problem in sheep, which have acted as a reservoir for the disease.

Any business occupying a property with a rateable value above £12,000 in Scotland may apply for relief from rates providing it can be demonstrated that the business is suffering hardship. Local authorities are already aware that this relief is available but a reminder has been included in the guidance issued on 10 April. It is for the local authority to consider each case on its merits.

Statute requires that decisions on whether to approve the growing of a particular GM crop on specific sites are based solely on scientific evidence. This has been made absolutely clear in all pronouncements made since the farm scale evaluation programme started last year. The decision to approve the sites for this year's programme was taken on advice from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Health and Safety Executive and the Food Standards Agency that this crop does not pose a threat to human health or the environment. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment also advised that no new evidence had emerged for it to amend its recommendation that these crops could be grown in safety.

I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-14552 and S1W-14860.

Where possible, businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak will receive advice from the relevant Small Business Gateway and Local Enterprise Company advisers. However, if additional assistance is required, the extra funding for the Enterprise Networks will allow such advice to be provided. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has decided to make discretionary grants of up to £2,000 available to support businesses towards the costs of accessing survival experts. This may involve lawyers and accountants. As support will be demand driven it is too early to say what the relevant costs might be across Scotland as a whole.

We have corresponded with the Scottish Licensed Trade Association on a number of occasions and about a range of issues. Alasdair Morrison met the SLTA's Parliamentary Consultant last autumn.

This is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise.