Chamber
Plenary, 22 Sep 1999
22 Sep 1999 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Beef on the Bone
I have repeatedly argued that matters such as this should not be reduced to party political debate and I am going to try to adhere to my own advice, but I must remind Mr Johnstone, and other members, that the Executive and the UK Government adopted a precautionary approach on the issue—it is why we have had to take such widespread measures to reduce the incidence of BSE in cattle and in turn reduce the risk of infection of variant CJD in humans— because of the crisis that arose because the previous, Conservative, Government failed to act.
We are not prepared to make those same mistakes. We are not prepared to keep the information that is available to us—the medical advice about the health risks—from the public. I have stated clearly and plainly, as openly and accurately as I am able, the basis on which we made our decision.
Someone asked what the distinction was between a professional view and a policy view. I have made it clear that a distinction can be made between the views of the CMO's on this issue. However, precisely because a United Kingdom position is essential, there is no distinction between the policy positions of different ministers and different Governments across the UK. That is in the best interests of public health throughout the UK.
In the spirit of openness—lest I should miss the opportunity to say that—may I point out to members that the Scottish CMO's advice is available not only from the Scottish Parliament information centre, but from the reference point at the back of the chamber. I urge members to read it in detail. It is also available on the Scottish Executive website—not on the Scottish Parliament website as I said earlier.
We should do what the Scottish people expect of us on this issue, which is to be open, responsible and to exercise sensible political judgment based on sound medical and scientific advice. That is in the best interests of the Scottish people and of the Scottish industry. The best way in which we can achieve long-term confidence in the Scottish beef industry is to ensure that we take sensible precautionary measures in the interests of public health and to ensure that we have safe beef and beef products on the market.
We are not prepared to make those same mistakes. We are not prepared to keep the information that is available to us—the medical advice about the health risks—from the public. I have stated clearly and plainly, as openly and accurately as I am able, the basis on which we made our decision.
Someone asked what the distinction was between a professional view and a policy view. I have made it clear that a distinction can be made between the views of the CMO's on this issue. However, precisely because a United Kingdom position is essential, there is no distinction between the policy positions of different ministers and different Governments across the UK. That is in the best interests of public health throughout the UK.
In the spirit of openness—lest I should miss the opportunity to say that—may I point out to members that the Scottish CMO's advice is available not only from the Scottish Parliament information centre, but from the reference point at the back of the chamber. I urge members to read it in detail. It is also available on the Scottish Executive website—not on the Scottish Parliament website as I said earlier.
We should do what the Scottish people expect of us on this issue, which is to be open, responsible and to exercise sensible political judgment based on sound medical and scientific advice. That is in the best interests of the Scottish people and of the Scottish industry. The best way in which we can achieve long-term confidence in the Scottish beef industry is to ensure that we take sensible precautionary measures in the interests of public health and to ensure that we have safe beef and beef products on the market.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
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The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon):
Lab
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Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP):
SNP
Will the minister explain why she told me in a written answer of 17 August that "When considering the Beef Bones Regulations it would . . . not be sensible t...
Susan Deacon:
Lab
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Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
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Susan Deacon:
Lab
I have repeatedly argued that matters such as this should not be reduced to party political debate and I am going to try to adhere to my own advice, but I mu...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
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Susan Deacon:
Lab
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Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
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Susan Deacon:
Lab
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Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
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Susan Deacon:
Lab
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Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
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Susan Deacon:
Lab
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The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I apologise to members who were not called, but I remind members that long questions simply cut out colleagues. That is what has happened today.