COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 6 MAY 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Willie Clarke
Pat Doherty
William Irwin
George Savage
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mary Hawthorne (Clerical Supervisor)
Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: None
The meeting opened at 1.32pm in Public Session .
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Apologies
As above.
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Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 29 April 2008.
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Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 29 April 2008.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 29 April 2008.
The Committee acknowledged a letter from the Rt Hon Lord Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health to the Rt Hon Michael Jack MP concerning bluetongue legislation.
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Red Meat Seminar Responses
The Committee acknowledged correspondence received from stakeholders who participated in the Red Meat Seminar which was held on 13 March 2008. It was agreed to call a representative from each organisation to attend a ‘follow-up’ meeting to be scheduled for late June 2008.
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 1.40pm.
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SR- The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 1.42pm.
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SR- Fish Health Regulations (NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Fish Health Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
- Presentation – Northern Ireland Operational Plan for Fisheries
Ian Humes and Liam McKibben, Department officials, joined the meeting at 1.47pm and made a presentation on The European Fisheries Fund – United Kingdom Operational Plan. The officials then answered questions from the Members.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 2.15pm.
Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 2.15pm.
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 2.21pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.24pm.
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SL1-The Plant Health (Amendment) Order Regulations (NI) 2008
Seamus Hughes and John Finlay, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.26pm and briefed the Committee on the proposed changes in The Plant Health (Amendment) Order Regulations (NI) 2008. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.
William Irwin left the meeting at 2.26pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.40pm.
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AOB
The Committee was briefed that the proposed Public Reform Bill is still at drafting stage. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister asking that they seek to have the AWB included in the draft Bill (thus removing the need for the Committee to place an amendment).
Members acknowledged the Ministerial Statement on the Fishing Industry and de minimis. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Department with a list of queries.
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Date of Next Meeting
The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 13 May 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 2.40pm.
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Chairperson
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Date