We will proceed with item 5 - Scrutiny of EU documents. EU document 2002/729 has been circulated, which concerns proposals for Council regulations for a system of identification and registration of animals and amending regulations to EC No. 3508/92. As will be seen from the document, the proposal aims to further harmonise the existing system of identification and registration of sheep and goats through electronic tagging. The primary objective of the current directive is to track animals for veterinary purposes, which has major importance for the control and prevention of disease within the European Union. Ireland has a comprehensive system of sheep identification which mirrors in many respects the tracking identification process sought in this regulation. I think this matter is likely to be the subject of debate over the coming months. Do members have any comments on the proposal? Are members happy enough with it? Is the proposal agreed to? Agreed. Is it agreed that the Clerk of the committee will draft a short form for adoption? Agreed.
Item 6 involves two short reports. Do members have these before them? Do members want me to read them out? They are based on discussions from previous meetings. Are the reports agreed to? Agreed.
Item 11 concerns regulations of the European Parliament to the Council laying down specific rules for organisation of the official control and production of animal organs intended for human consumption. An update has been circulated. Is that agreed? Agreed. We will come back to that matter again.
Directive 2002/741 is a proposal for Council regulation authorising amendment of delivery for direct human consumption for certain wines imported from Argentina, which have undergone a process not provided for in the regulations, EC No. 1493/99. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Directive 2002/72 - proposals for the Council regulation amending regulation EC No. 1766/92 with regard to the cancellation of import duties for certain cereals. This proposal outlines the EU scrutiny document for such matters. Is that agreed? Agreed.
Directive 2002/68 - proposal for Council regulation amending regulation EC No. 4045/89 on scrutiny of member states with transactions part assisted by financing by the guaranteed section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund. As this matter is for noting, is it agreed? Agreed.
The joint committee went into private session and adjourned at 6.20 p.m. until 4.15 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 February 2003.