COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2010,
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Dr Jessica Golden-Alexander (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
1.44pmThe meeting commenced in public session with absence of quorum.
1. Presentation: NICVA – Comprehensive Spending Review
The following representatives joined the meeting:
Lisa McElherron, Head of Public Affairs
Nicholas McCrickard, East Down Rural Community Network
1.45pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting. The meeting established quorum.
The witnesses presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
The representatives left the meeting
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above
3. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 14th September 2010.
4. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 14 September 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 14 September 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted a Freedom of Information request and agreed to release the requested information through the information unit.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received in relation to the Single Farm Payment – Review of Decisions Procedure. The Committee agreed to wait until the consultation is complete before it engages with PWC on the matter.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from a number of departmental employees regarding the alleged erosion of salaries. The Committee agreed to defer consideration until information has been received from the Department in respect of the matter.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from the Clerk to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in relation to its Renewable Energy Inquiry. The Committee agreed that it would forward the correspondence to the Department.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would forward correspondence from two other statutory Committees to the Department.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Whiskey Rock Fisheries Ltd regarding a consultation on the Foyle Area (Oyster Traders Logbook and ID Tagging) Regulations 2011. The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Department for comment.
5. SR – 2010/248: The Control of Salmonella in Turkey Flocks Scheme Order (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has
considered the Control of Salmonella in Turkey Flocks Scheme Order (NI) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
6. SR 2010/253: The Zoonoses and Animal By-Products (Fees) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has
considered the Zoonoses and Animal By-Products(Fees) Regulations (NI) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
7. Presentation: DARD - Spreading of Slurry and Penalties Applied to Single Farm Payment
The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Valerie Bell (Grade 7) Principle Officer
Alan Galbraith (Grade 7) Agriculture Inspector Grade I
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
The officials left the meeting
8. Presentation: DARD – SL1: Welfare of Farmed Animals
(Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
John McConnell, Acting Head of Animal Identification, Legislation and WelfareBranch
Paddy McGuckian (Grade 7) Divisional Veterinary Officer
Julian Henderson (Grade 7) Divisional Veterinary Officer
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed The Committee agreed that the Welfare of Farmed Animals
(Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010 should be passed to the next legislative stage.
The officials left the meeting
9. AOB
Agreed: The Committee agreed a draft public notice in relation to its meeting that is to be held at the Dogs’ Trust Ballymena on 7 th October 2010
10. Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 28 September 2010 at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings in respect of the Dogs Bill, followed by the Welfare of Animals Bill at 13:30 in Room 30.
14.43 The meeting was adjourned
Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
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