Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30388. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30388. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa. SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

I attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 14 and 15 October in Luxembourg, together with Elliot Morley. On fisheries, the agenda covered reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP); a recovery plan for stocks of cod and hake, and an action plan for fisheries management in the Mediterranean Sea. No decisions were taken.There was a policy debate on aspects of the Commission's CFP reform package. This centred on access to resources, good governance, and control and enforcement.On access to resources, we stressed the need to maintain restricted access to coastal waters (such as the six and 12 mile limits and Shetland Box). We also urged the Council to support the retention of the quota allocation system within the EU, protecting the principle of Relative Stability among member states. In that context, we particularly emphasised the importance of the so-called Hague Preference, which we regard as an integral part of Relative Stability particularly beneficial to the Scottish industry.On good governance, we emphasised to the Council the importance to be attached to the proposed Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). We stressed the importance of getting their composition and remit right, and of ensuring that they are centred on the experience and knowledge of the fishing industry. We also argued that the Commission and Council of Ministers should give particular weight to any recommendations made by these RACs. On control and enforcement, we lent our support to various ideas designed to improve co-ordination and co-operation (and therefore a "level playing field") within the EU. These include proposals to extend satellite monitoring, and to facilitate inspections by Commission officials. There was also a policy debate on the Commission's proposal for a Cod and Hake Recovery Plan. Most Member States acknowledged the need for urgent action. We emphasised the need to develop workable proposals based on the latest science, and based on close consultation with stakeholders. We indicated (as did others) that effort control might be a necessary part of any solution.The Commission also gave a presentation covering its action plan for fisheries management in the Mediterranean.The agriculture agenda covered three main issues: three specific proposals on food safety matters; the recent Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development, and the mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The food safety proposals considered by Council covered the monitoring and control of zoonoses and genetically modified food and feed. There was some useful clarification of positions but it was not possible to reach agreement on this occasion. The Council assessed the agricultural priorities flowing from the Johannesburg World Summit and agreed conclusions accordingly.On CAP, the Council continued its consideration of the mid-term review proposals, concentrating on those concerning rural development and farm audits. Supported by a number of other Member States, we stressed the importance of a shift from production-linked support under the CAP to rural development programmes, and reiterated the importance of a fair distribution of funds between Member States. On the commodity side, there were discussions on new market measures for nuts and for rice. There was also a discussion on the options for change in the milk sector. Under other business, the Commission dealt with enquiries about olive oil promotion, aid to Greek cotton producers and negotiations with third countries over grain imports.

This is a matter for Scottish Water. The Chief Executive's response is:Any request by a customer to downsize their meter is evaluated by local staff as part of the business reviews Scottish Water is carrying out for businesses with medium- or larger-sized meters and any effect on fire hydrants is evaluated. Scottish Water will work with the customer to investigate options and discuss charging arrangements that consider the business supply needs, including for fire fighting purposes. The final decision on meter size required rests with the customer.

No proposals on the welfare of animals during transport have been made by the Commission. However, the special circumstances affecting the Highlands and Islands have been raised with the Commission on a number of occasions and were recorded formally at the recent Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting.

The Scottish Executive has not carried out an in depth assessment of the effects that implementation of the recommendation to alter the regulations governing the transport of livestock by sea would have on the livestock industry in the islands. Nevertheless we are acutely aware that the effect would be significant so the Executive has strongly registered with the European Commission and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs its concerns over any possible change to the transport of livestock regulations which would limit the transport of animals by sea to days when the wind speed was force 4 or less. Our concerns over a shortening of journey times for animals from the Highlands and Islands have also been made known.We shall reinforce this position if that recommendation is brought forward as one of the Commission proposals.

The Scottish Executive has made the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs fully aware of the Executive's concern about some of the Committee's recommendations and, in particular, the recommendation about restricting animal transport by sea in winds of force 5 or greater. A case stressing the specific problems which the Committee's recommendations, if adopted, would pose for the livestock industry in the Highlands and Islands, has been made.

The Scottish Executive has met representatives of the NFU Scotland to discuss the recommendations in the report on the welfare of animals during transport by the EU Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Welfare. The specific recommendation on transportation of livestock by seas was discussed. No meetings have been held with the Scottish Crofters' Federation or the Islands' Councils, but we are fully aware of the concerns of the livestock industry on the Islands.The specific needs of the remote areas such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland were raised at the recent Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting when the welfare of animals during transit was discussed in open forum. When proposals are made by the European Commission these will be discussed with crofting and farming organisations to assist Scottish Executive officials to prepare briefing for attendance at any Council working group set up to consider the proposals in detail.

We have not undertaken such an assessment. We have, however, assessed the potential renewable energy resource from all renewables sources throughout Scotland. This study, Scotland's renewable resource 2001, which we published in December last year, estimated that the total resource could be as much as 60 GW capacity.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30112 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa