mep0102

EMERGENCY POWERS COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday, 7 February 2001 at 9.30am.

PRESENT

Mr Roderick J Murray (In the Chair)

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Norman L Macdonald

APOLOGIES

Mr Angus Nicolson

CONSTITUTION

Appointment of Chairman

1

It was agreed to appoint Mr Roderick J Murray as Chairman of the meeting.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

It was agreed that public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item, on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(f) would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle) and in Standing Order 26(i), namely, any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

Mr Alexander A Macdonald, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item.

Foot and Mouth Disease: Disease Control Measures

2

The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a report outlining the emergency measures taken to combat the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease to the Western Isles. It was indicated that materials, including disinfectants, had been sourced to control the spread of the disease locally. A planning group of agencies and stakeholders had been established to agree and arrange appropriate measures to prevent the disease entering the Western Isles, to reduce the likelihood of its spread within the islands and to evaluate the impact of the measures on the welfare of animals and the economic structure of the islands. The response measures which had been put in place were outlined in the report. Further measures proposed were summarised and it was concluded that further resources would be necessary to meet the requirements identified. The greatest need was in Stornoway where the core of the common work was being undertaken and the greatest scale of importation to the islands and commercial activity was taking place. Enhancing resources in that area would allow greater flexibility to the Acting Director of Environmental Services to deploy staff and materials to other areas. It was suggested that a contract be entered into with Heather Isle Meats Limited to provide services to meet the measures identified until such time as the risk of disease had reduced to an acceptable level. It was proposed that a voluntary agreement be sought from Heather Isle Meats Limited to continue not to import live animals and to deploy its staff and workforce to implementing disease control measures. It was noted that the effect of this proposal would be to close the slaughterhouse all local animals except for emergencies.

The Acting Director of Environmental Services reported regarding the licensing arrangements for abattoirs and the movement of animals under the emergency Statutory Instruments. He stated that Heather Isle Meats Limited had been granted a licence to slaughter animals and that a licensing process to enable the movement of animals to the abattoir had been put in place on 6 March 2001. Licences for movement of animals in Lewis and Harris had been issued on the same day.

It was agreed:

(1) to note the measures taken to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease and to inform the public; and

(2) to sanction the expenditure necessary for overtime, the appointment of contractors and materials as detailed in the report by the Acting Director of Environmental Services.

(3) that the Acting Director of Environmental Services give members of the committee sight of the terms of the contract with Heather Isle Meats Limited prior to it being concluded.

____

PRESENT	Mr Roderick J Murray (In the Chair)
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Norman L Macdonald

APOLOGIES	Mr Angus Nicolson

		CONSTITUTION
Appointment of Chairman	1	It was agreed to appoint Mr Roderick J Murray as Chairman of the meeting.
		ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
		It was agreed that public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item, on the grounds that exempt information in terms of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as defined in Standing Order 26(f) would be disclosed, namely, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the Comhairle) and in Standing Order 26(i), namely, any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Comhairle in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services. Mr Alexander A Macdonald, having declared an interest, left the meeting during consideration of the following item.
Foot and Mouth Disease: Disease Control Measures	2	The Acting Director of Environmental Services submitted a report outlining the emergency measures taken to combat the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease to the Western Isles. It was indicated that materials, including disinfectants, had been sourced to control the spread of the disease locally. A planning group of agencies and stakeholders had been established to agree and arrange appropriate measures to prevent the disease entering the Western Isles, to reduce the likelihood of its spread within the islands and to evaluate the impact of the measures on the welfare of animals and the economic structure of the islands. The response measures which had been put in place were outlined in the report. Further measures proposed were summarised and it was concluded that further resources would be necessary to meet the requirements identified. The greatest need was in Stornoway where the core of the common work was being undertaken and the greatest scale of importation to the islands and commercial activity was taking place. Enhancing resources in that area would allow greater flexibility to the Acting Director of Environmental Services to deploy staff and materials to other areas. It was suggested that a contract be entered into with Heather Isle Meats Limited to provide services to meet the measures identified until such time as the risk of disease had reduced to an acceptable level. It was proposed that a voluntary agreement be sought from Heather Isle Meats Limited to continue not to import live animals and to deploy its staff and workforce to implementing disease control measures. It was noted that the effect of this proposal would be to close the slaughterhouse all local animals except for emergencies.
		The Acting Director of Environmental Services reported regarding the licensing arrangements for abattoirs and the movement of animals under the emergency Statutory Instruments. He stated that Heather Isle Meats Limited had been granted a licence to slaughter animals and that a licensing process to enable the movement of animals to the abattoir had been put in place on 6 March 2001. Licences for movement of animals in Lewis and Harris had been issued on the same day.
		It was agreed: (1) to note the measures taken to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease and to inform the public; and (2) to sanction the expenditure necessary for overtime, the appointment of contractors and materials as detailed in the report by the Acting Director of Environmental Services. (3) that the Acting Director of Environmental Services give members of the committee sight of the terms of the contract with Heather Isle Meats Limited prior to it being concluded.
____