Hansard

The Convener: Con

Papers SP470 and SP484 were circulated to members of the committee and discussed briefly at a previous meeting. It was the view of the committee that we want...

Robin Haynes (Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department):

I will begin by talking broadly about the context of the legislative proposal from the European Commission, before focusing on the document in question.The l...

The Convener: Con

You have probably covered many areas of concern that have been raised with members, but I am keen that members should have the chance to seek clarification.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): Lab

What is the timetable for the co-decision procedure?

Robin Haynes:

The best information that I have is that the European Parliament will vote in plenary on 12 April on a series of amendments that have been suggested by its C...

Lewis Macdonald: Lab

Do those amendments impact directly on the issues that you have described?

Robin Haynes:

I have seen drafts that have been produced by the rapporteur to the environment committee and something like 100 proposed amendments, some of which were self...

The Convener: Con

I would like you to confirm one or two things. I may also ask you to make judgments that you may wish not to make.You described the Portuguese proposals as b...

Robin Haynes:

I am afraid that I cannot speak for the European Parliament. However, having attended working groups in the Council, I feel that the emerging common position...

The Convener: Con

The widely held opinion in the industry in Scotland is that it is extremely important that the current position is not prejudiced by any new legislation in t...

Robin Haynes:

By marginalised, I assume you mean—

The Convener: Con

Pushed to the edge of legality.

Robin Haynes:

Pushed to the edge of legality. The Orkney beef position is rather more secure. Orkney beef is a protected denomination of origin and the specification for t...

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): SNP

From what you are saying, the industry's major concern seems to be beef that is finished in Scotland but not born in Scotland. Are there any other concerns t...

Robin Haynes:

That is the most significant message that we have received from most sectors of the industry. By most sectors, I mean the National Farmers Union of Scotland,...

The Convener: Con

The suggestion reads:"Member State, or region or holding or third country".Are those genuine alternatives or is there likely to be a requirement for more tha...

Robin Haynes:

Happily, the Portuguese compromise paper—which is not the final common position but seems to be an attempt by the Portuguese to reach one—specifically remove...

The Convener: Con

As there are no further questions, I thank you for coming along to explain the document to us and for taking questions. The committee has been aware of the d...

Robin Haynes:

As a footnote to your concluding remarks, I should note that things are moving fast in Brussels, as the deadline for the legislation to be enacted is 1 Septe...

The Convener: Con

Thank you. Do members have any other comments on issues raised by the beef labelling document? Do we wish to make a comment to the European Committee?

Alasdair Morgan: SNP

The immediate decision will be made in the European Parliament. I am not sure that our talking to the European Committee will affect what the European Parlia...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): Lab

Has this paper come to us via the European Committee or directly?

The Convener: Con

It has been given to us largely for information. Today we have had an opportunity to have questions answered. We have considered the paper in detail, and it ...