MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF
THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2001
HELD IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. DARD Public Service Agreement (PSA)
2. Minutes of Proceedings
3. Matters Arising
4. Review of Forestry Policy
5. Draft Regulation on Implementation of EU Feed Controls
6. Animal Waste Directive
7. Any Other Business
8. Date of Next Meeting
Present:Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP (Chairman)
Mr G Savage (Deputy Chairman)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Dallat
Mr B Douglas
Mr D Ford
Mr G Kane
Apologies:Mr G McHugh
Mr I Paisley Jnr
In attendance:Mr P Moore
Mrs R Barclay
Miss Kyran Hewitt
The Chairman called the meeting to order in private session at 10. 00 am.
1. DARD Public Sevice Agreement (PSA)
1.1 The Chairman welcomed DARD officials, Mr G Lavery, Assistant Secretary, Finance; Mr Ditchfield and Mr Rodgers to the meeting.
1.2 Mr Lavery made a short statement, referring to the Minister's letter of 24 January on "work in progress".
Dr Paisley left the meeting at 10.25 am and Mr Savage assumed the Chair.
1.3 This was followed by a question and answer session and a number of issues were raised including:
1.3.1 Clarification of the terms 'actions' and 'targets' as defined in Public Service Agreement with terms used in draft Programme for Government.
1.3.2 Definition of aims and objectives and how resources are allocated to carry out DARD's programmes.
1.3.3 Setting of quantifiable targets to provide an accountable and enhanced service to the public and how PSA targets emerged.
1.3.4 The level of detail of the targets.
1.3.5 Ensuring targets are monitored on a regular basis.
1.3.6 Use of scarce resources for priority areas.
1.3.7 The setting of targets for subsequent years
1.3.8 Specific reference to the target referring to the low incidence status of BSE in NI and Rural Proofing
Mr Douglas attended the meeting at 10.45 am.
1.4 The DARD officials left the meeting at 11.05 am.
The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 11.05 am.
Top2. Minutes of Proceedings on 26 January 2001
2.1 Resolved: that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 26 January were approved.
Top3. Matters Arising
3.1 Noted: that the date for the launch of the Pig Report was not yet finalised.
3.2 Agreed: the draft letter to the Agriculture Attaché in the German Embassy, as amended to refer to a copy of the letter going to the Secretary of State (as international affairs are excepted matters).
3.3 Agreed: the draft letter to Cllr Burns regarding problems facing the Northern Ireland Seed Potato Producers.
3.4 Members noted that a copy of the House of Commons Select Committee Report on Organic Farming was held in the Committee Office, recommendations and conclusions having been included in members papers.
3.5 Members noted a letter from the Chairman to the Minister, reiterating points raised by the Committee in their deliberations on Organic Farming.
3.6 The Committee agreed that a letter of thanks should be issued to Enniskillen College for the informative visit arranged for Members. Copies of papers received would be issued to Members who were unable to attend.
Top4. Review of Forestry Policy
4.1 The Committee welcomed DARD Forest Service officials, Mr Malcolm Beatty, Chief Executive and Mr Barry Todd, Head of Policy to the meeting at 11.15 am.
4.2 Mr Beatty addressed the Committee regarding the Minister's letter and briefing paper. This was followed by a question and answer session with Members. A number of issues were raised including:
4.2.1 The need to consider environmental, recreational and economic issues when developing future policy.
4.2.2 The geographical spread of the industry throughout Northern Ireland.
4.2.3 The effects of world market prices and EU policy on the industry.
4.2.4 Expanding forestry as a viable economic industry.
4.2.5 Grant aid for private planting.
4.2.6 Targeting areas that are of economic benefit to the industry rather than targeting social need.
4.2.7 The need for the industry to be consumer led.
4.3 The Deputy Chairman drew discussions to a close at 12 noon and Messrs Beatty and Todd left the meeting
Mr Ford left the meeting at 12 noon. Dr Paisley returned and resumed the chair at 12.05 pm
Top5. Draft Regulation on Implementation of EU Feed Controls
5.1 The Committee welcomed the DARD officials, Mr Wesley Shannon and Mrs Sandra Dunbar to the meeting at 12.05 pm.
5.2 Mr Shannon explained the draft Regulation in the context of the Animal Waste Directive and the Commission Proposals on TSEs. This was followed by a question and answer session with Members.
Mr Ford returned to the meeting at 12.20 pm. Mr Dallat left the meeting at 12.50 pm
5.3 Mr Shannon agreed to furnish the Committee with the results of the consultation on the proposed Regulation within the next two weeks.
5.4 Mr Shannon agreed that he would provide the Committee with details of his presentation.
5.5 Mr Shannon also answered Members questions on the review of the Animal Waste Directive.
5.6 The Chairman brought the discussion to a close at 1.10 pm and Mr Shannon and Ms Dunbar left the meeting.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 1.15pm and reconvened in private session at 1.35 pm.
Top6. Animal Waste Directive.
6.1 The Committee deliberated on reports submitted by the Specialist Adviser.
6.2 The Adviser was called into the meeting at 1.50 pm and answered questions from the Chairman and Members relating to the Terms of Reference regarding the Animal Waste Directive.
6.3 The Adviser left the meeting at 2.30 pm.
6.4 The Committee deliberated.
6.5 Agreed: that the Clerk and the Researcher had spent considerable time sifting through the reports and deserved the Committee's appreciation for this.
6.6 Resolved: that the Clerk should draft a response to the Minister, based on the answers provided today, along with information provided in the Report received today, for approval at the next meeting.
6.7 Resolved: that the Adviser should not proceed with the second report on TSEs and that his contract should be terminated with immediate effect.
6.8 Resolved: that the Clerk should liaise with the Assembly's Research Services and the Clerk of Committees regarding payment of fees to the Adviser.
6.9 Agreed: that the Clerk should bring the DARD papers on TSEs and the EU Feed Controls to the attention of the Health and Social Services and Public Safety Committee in view of the possible relevance to the Food Standards Agency.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 2.50 pm.
Top7. Any other business
7.1 Members noted a response from DARD on the calculation of fees to be charged in the Welfare of Animals (Fees) Order 2001.
7.2 Members noted a copy of the letter from the Food Standards Agency to Commissioner Byrne following the spinal cord incident.
7.3 The Chairman signed letters to the German Attaché and Councillor Burns as agreed by the Committee at the start of the meeting.
Top8. Date of next meeting.
8.1 Resolved: that the next meeting would take place on Friday 9 February 2001 at 10.00 am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
TopThe Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 3.05 pm
26 January 2001 / Menu / 9 February 2001