Highland Council Convener and Scots MEP join forces in Brussels at new Rural Committee

Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, attended his first meeting at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Commission Natural Resources (NAT) today Tuesday) in Brussels.  In delivering his maiden speech, Councillor Park said: “Given that The Highland Council is one of the largest local authorities in the EU, it is highly appropriate that I am sitting on this Commission as its many important remits such as agriculture and maritime policy are of high significance to this area, not to mention the vital issue of the provision of public health services in rural communities.”

His first meeting coincided with a debate on the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)  at the Parliament's Agriculture Committee, whose Rappoteur is Scottish MEP George Lyon.

At the discussion Councillor Park said: “I look forward to working with George on this issue over the next few months. The future of CAP post 2013 is an issue which is generating huge interest and a great deal of political debate in Scotland.”

Mr Lyon agreed to come to Highland to discuss these issues in detail shortly.

Councillor Park is one of the four CoR members nominated by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). The committee also comprises the four MSP CoR Members endorsed by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish First Minister, who coordinates the Scottish appointments, submits them to the UK Government for final appointment by the EU Council of Ministers.  CoR Members are unpaid official  EU representatives hence the CoR compensates for their travel  expenses.