COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 09 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 30 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
2.53pmThe meeting commenced in Public Session
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above
2. Minutes of 16 October 2010
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 16 October 2010
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 16 October 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 16 October 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for the First and deputy First Minister in respect of the Armed Forces and Veterans Bill
Agreed : The Committee agreed to respond that it will continue to ensure that all statutory obligations and policies associated with this Bill are complied with as part of the normal scrutiny undertaken by Committee.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Justice in respect of the Justice Bill.
Agreed: Members would forward any comments to the Clerk by 12 November 2010.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Permanent Secretary regarding a conference entitled “NICS Live”.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that the research officer
attends the event and report back to the Committee since the event is being held on a plenary day.
The Committee noted a number of letters from participants in the Countryside Management Scheme asking the Committee to support their calls to protect environmental aid schemes
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the letters to the Department
for response.
2.55pm Mr T Clarke joined the meeting
4. Presentation : DARD - PfG / PSA Progress Report to 30 September 2010
The following officials joined the meeting:
John Smith - Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary
Roly Harwood - Grade 6 - Senior Principal Veterinary Officer
Ian McKee - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Keith Morrison - Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary
Pauline Keegan -Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions
During questions
3.09pm Mr Irwin joined the meeting
Mr Moutray declared an interest as a member of SOAR, Craigavon Area.
Mr Beggs declared an interest as owner of twenty-five acres of farmland, member of Carrickfergus Borough Council which is involved in the GROW Partnership, father a member of a North East Local Action Group.
Mr Malloy declared an interest as a member of a SWARD.
3.25pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting
3.25pm Mr Malloy left the meeting
Mr T Clarke declared an interest as member of Antrim Borough Council and GROW.
Mr Irwin declared an interest as a member of SOAR.
3.34pm Mr W Clarke joined the meeting
3.41pm Mr Bradley left the meeting
3.48pm Mr Malloy rejoined the meeting
Agreed: The Clerk would write to the Department on a number of issues.
The officials left the meeting
5. Presentation : Northern Ireland Horse Board
The following witnesses joined the meeting:
Patricia M. Connon, Chairperson, Northern Ireland Horse Board
Hugh McCusker, Director, Northern Ireland Horse Board
Jane Allen-Collins, Director, Northern Ireland Horse Board
The witnesses presented to Committee in respect of its concerns in relation to the Equine Council Northern Ireland. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
During questions
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it will write to the Minister for Finance and Personnel in order to explore the issue of rating for equine businesses.
4.07pm The meeting adjourned
4.40pmThe meeting resumed with the following members present:
Mr Moutray, Mr Beggs, Mr W Clarke, Mr McCarthy, Mr Gibson
The witnesses re-joined the meeting
During questions
4.43pm Mr Irwin re-joined the meeting
4.55pm Mr Bradley left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Department should present on the matter at the next meeting.
The witnesses left the meeting
6. Presentation : DARD Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) – 2014
Mr Beggs declared an interest as an owner of twenty-five acres of farmland
The Committee noted correspondence from the UFU in respect of this matter.
The following officials joined the meeting:
Brian Ervine - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Sinclair Mayne - Grade 5 - Departmental Scientific Advisor.
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above.
Following the presentation, Members put questions.
5.04pm Mr Bradley re-joined the meeting
5.14pm Mr Irwin left the meeting
Mr Gibson declared an interest
The Committee relayed its support in respect of the departmental application to renew the nitrates directive for 2011 – 2014.
The officials left the meeting
- Pre Consultation: The Zoonoses Fees(Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content that this matter should move to consultation stage, provided that the Department returns with a detailed analysis of consultation responses.
7. Pre Consultation : Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content that this matter should move to consultation stage, provided that the Department returns with a detailed analysis of consultation responses.
9. Pre Consultation : Seed Potatoes (Tuber Inspection Fees) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content that this matter should move to consultation stage, provided that the Department returns with a detailed analysis of consultation responses.
10. Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and unregulated Fishing)
Order (NI) 2010
Agreed: Members agreed that The Sea Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and unregulated Fishing) Order (NI) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.
11. AOB
Members were asked to note details regarding a visit from the Minister for Agriculture, Members and officials from Kyrgyzstan on 15 November 2010.
12. Date of the next meeting
The next meetings of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 16 November 2010 at 10.30am and 1.30pm in Room 30
The meeting was adjourned at 5.25pm
Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
09 November 10 Welfare of Animals Bill/ Menu |
