Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive consultedin November 2003 on a proposed model for transposition, issuing a paper jointlywith the UK Government, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland administration.We expect to bring forward a further consultation on draft regulations in the summer.

The directive seeks to reducethe environmental impact of disposing of waste electrical and electronic equipmentby encouraging separate collection, setting treatment requirements and requiringhigh levels of recycling. Manufacturers and importers of goods within the scopeof the directive will be made financially responsible for ensuring the collection,reuse, recovery and recycling of waste equipment. The recycling and recovery targetsand higher treatment standards are a business opportunity for the waste managementindustry.

The Executive expects to consult,in partnership with the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly, on draft regulationsand guidance in the summer, so will not be able to lay any regulations before thesummer recess of 2004. As the directive addresses a mix of devolved and reservedmatters, we are considering whether implementation will be best achieved by makingseparate regulations for the Scottish devolved aspects or through UK-wide regulationsmade by the UK Government.

The second stage of a three-phaseconsultation exercise with stakeholders closed on 1 March 2004. Consultation wasundertaken jointly by the Scottish Executive, the UK Government, the Welsh Assemblyand the Northern Ireland administration. The response is currently being assessedand will inform the proposals to be consulted on in the third phase. The ScottishExecutive is discussing the developing proposals with Scottish stakeholders througha range of meetings.

The recent decision by BayerCropScience to withdraw their application to add Chardon LL maize to the nationalseed list reduces the likelihood that GM crops would be grown in Scotland in theforeseeable future. Notwithstanding, the Executive intends to consult on co-existencemeasures later this year, in order to ensure that such measures are in place beforeany possible planting of GM crops in Scotland. The detailed terms of such a consultationhave still to be determined, but it will include consultation on the desirabilityof a separate threshold for organic crops and separation distances between GM andnon-GM crops.

The Executive considers thatissues of compensation for economic losses arising from contamination of non-GMcrops should be addressed as part of a broader co-existence regime. We have undertakento consult on compensation as part of our wider consultation on co-existence laterthis year.

The draft EU Directive on EnvironmentalLiability establishes liability for environmental damage to protected species andhabitats resulting from a range of activities, including the release of GMorganisms. It does not cover damage to private property or any economic loss, forexample losses arising from GM contamination of non-GM crops. It is this issue whichthe Executive will seek to address in its consultation on co-existence.

We are considering, alongwith Network Rail, the Strategic Rail Authority and the City of Edinburgh Council, how best to improve Haymarket Station. Better access to the station ispart of that consideration.

None.

I can announce that the Scottish Ministers have granted consent on this proposal in terms of section 36of the Electricity Act 1989. Additionally this consent carries deemed planningpermission in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland)Act 1997.

This announcement follows aconsultation process which involved environmental groups, government bodies andthe local authority. Highland Council supported this proposal as it is anadditional contribution to renewable energy resources which is supported bytheir planning policies.