Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the meeting is to engage in further scrutiny of EU legislative proposals. I welcome Mr. David Lynch, Mr. Tom Loftus, Mr. Donal Coleman and Ms Hazel Sheridan from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I thank them for appearing before us to assist the committee in its scrutiny of the proposals before it and, in particular, to explain the detail and consequences of the draft legislation. I remind them that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

There are four proposals to be considered: COM (2013) 260 on animal health law; COM (2013) 262 on plant reproductive material; COM (2013) 265 on official controls; and COM (2013) 267 on plant health law. These adopted measures are to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards in the agrifood chain. Mr. Lynch and Mr. Loftus will addressed COM (2013) 265 first.