COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

WELFARE OF ANIMALS BILL EVIDENCE SESSION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2010,
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA

In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve(Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA

The meeting commenced at 1.32 p.m. in Public Session

Mr Bradley declared an interest

1. Apologies

As above

2. Minutes

Agreed : The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 28 September 2010

3. Matters Arising

The Committee noted correspondence issued since the meeting of 28 September 2010

The Committee noted correspondence received since the meeting of 28 September 2010.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in relation to the Committee’s vote of 28 th September on clause 6 of the Bill. The Committee agreed that the Clerk should provide advice to the Committee on the legislative position should clause 6 be removed. The Committee also agreed to provide a response to BVA.

4. Presentation –VET NI – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill

The following representatives joined the meeting

Brian McAuley -NIVA President

Ian Stewart - AVSPNI President

Des Thompson - Chairman of Board of VetNI

The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

1.45 p.m. Mr Beggs joined the meeting

1.55 p.m. Mr Doherty left the meeting

During questions

2.29 p.m. Mr W Clarke left the meeting

2.34 p.m. Mr Irwin left the meeting

2.36 p.m. Mr Savage left the meeting

2.40 p.m. Mr Beggs left the meeting

The meeting became inquorate

5. Presentation –Local Government Councils – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill

2.40 p.m. Mr Bradley left the meeting

2.44 p.m. Mr Beggs rejoined the meeting

The meeting regained quorum

The following representatives joined the meeting

John Corkey – Belfast City Council

Gillain Topping – Banbridge District Council

Karen Smith – NILGA

The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

During questions

The following members declared an interest:

Mr Moutray; Mr Beggs; Mr T Clarke; Mr Molloy

3.00 p.m. Mr Gibson left the meeting

3.02 p.m. Mr Savage re-joined the meeting

6. Presentation – Canine Breeders Ireland – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill

The following representatives joined the meeting

David Hamilton – Secretary Canine Breeders Ireland

Jonathan Hamilton – Member Canine Breeders Ireland

Michael McKay – Member Canine Breeders Ireland

Gerry Smyth – Member Canine Breeders Ireland

The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

3.12 p.m. Mr Doherty re-joined the meeting

3.14 p.m. Mr Irwin re-joined the meeting

During questions

3.30 p.m. Mr Doherty left the meeting

3.31 p.m. Mr W Clarke re-joined the meeting

3.34 p.m. Mr Gibson re-joined the meeting

7. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meetings will be on Tuesday, 19 October.

The meeting was adjourned 3.34 p.m.

Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

12 October (Morning Session) / Menu