PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2000
IN ROOM 135 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1.Minutes of Proceedings - 11 February 2000
2. Inquiry into Debt
3. Potatoes Issues
4. Outstanding Issues Update for Members
8. Date of Next Meeting
Present:
Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP MLA (Chairman)
Mr G Savage MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr B Armstrong MLA
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr J Dallat MLA
Mr B Douglas MLA
Mr D Ford MLA
Mr G Kane MLA
Mr G McHugh MLA
Mr F Molloy MLA
Mr I Paisley Jnr. MLA
Apologies:
Mr F Molloy MLA
In attendance:
Mr M Wilson
Mr P Moore
Mr S Cowan
The Chairman commenced the meeting at 10.30am.
The Chairman advised Members of a forthcoming invitation to the Committee for lunch with Mr Nick Brown MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on Tuesday 27 June 2000.
Resolved: That the Committee should seek a private meeting with Mr Brown to discuss a number of issues such as the price differential on pigs, the arable aid scheme and the provision of agrimonetary compensation.
1. Minutes of Proceedings - 11 February 2000
Members decided to consider the transcript of evidence from the Supermarket Retailers' before agreeing to the Minutes.
Resolved: The Minutes will be formally considered at the next meeting of the Committee.
top2. Inquiry into Debt - Strategy
The Committee considered three options for taking forward the Inquiry into Debt in the Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors.
Resolved: The Committee will amend the Terms of Reference of the main Inquiry, publish an interim report before the summer recess and commit to further reports in the autumn on other sectors starting with the pig and beef sectors.
Resolved: A press release was agreed and ordered to be issued.
top3. Potatoes Issues - Completion of Committee consideration
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved: Members will give further consideration to the content of draft letters and advise the Clerk of any amendments for agreement at the next meeting.
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. left the meeting at 12.00 noon.
top4. Outstanding issues update for Members - action to be agreed
Resolved: The Clerk will draw up a work programme, subject to Members agreement, that will identify and enable the Committee to take a highly focused approach to the issues to be considered over coming months.
top5. Date of next meeting
The next formal meeting of the Committee will be at 9.30am on Friday 9 June 2000, in the Senate Chamber when evidence will be taken from a number of Agri-food processors operating in Northern Ireland.
TopThe Chairman concluded the meeting at 12.20pm.
Ian R K Paisley
Chairman