MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF
THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2001
HELD IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Hansard coverage of sessions with the Minister on Foot and Mouth disease situation
2. Update on Foot and Mouth Disease situation
3. Minutes of Proceedings on 2 March 2001
4. Statutory Rules: Formal Consideration
5. Beef Quality Initiative Proposals
6. Statutory Rules to note
7. Statutory Rules- Pre-Drafting Consideration
8. Draft Terms of Reference for the Committee's next Inquiries
9. Any Other Business
10. Draft Regional Development Strategy
11. Date of Next Meeting
Present:Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP (Chairman)
Mr G Savage
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Dallat
Mr B Douglas
Mr D Ford
Mr G Kane
Mr F Molloy
Mr G McHugh
Mr I Paisley Jnr
In attendance:Mr P Moore
Mr B Kennedy
Mr J McCourt
Miss K Hewitt
The Chairman called the meeting to order in Private Session at 10.00am.
1. Hansard coverage of sessions with the Minister on the Foot and Mouth Disease Situation.
1.1. Members discussed arrangements for Hansard coverage of Committee sessions with the Minister regarding Foot and Mouth Disease.
1.2. Resolved: that Hansard would be asked to cover all such sessions with the Minister and a transcript would be published and supplied to members and to the Minister as soon as it was available.
1.3. Resolved: that a copy of the transcript of the informally arranged Hansard record of the Minister's session with the Committee on 2 March would be supplied to the Minister.
The Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 10.02am.
Top2. Update on Foot and Mouth Disease situation
2.1. The Chairman welcomed the Minister and DARD officials Peter Small (Permanent Secretary) and Dr Bob McCracken (Chief Veterinary Officer) to the meeting at 10.03am.
2.2. The Chairman advised the Minister of the Committee's decision to have Hansard coverage of these sessions with her and said that she would be supplied with a transcript of the session on 2 March 2001 and all subsequent sessions. He asked the Minister to make a statement.
2.3. The Minister's statement covered the following items:
- There is still only one confirmed case of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Province. The animals concerned and those believed to have been in contact with them have been slaughtered.
- Illegal trade in animals is being investigated by the RUC.
- Banks, approached about the cash-flow difficulties being faced by farmers during the current emergency, have been understanding and have agreed to be flexible.
- The situation in GB is very serious and, although there has been pressure to lift restrictions here, the imposition and continuance of those restrictions is believed to be instrumental in stopping the spread of the disease in Northern Ireland.
- Compensatory payments to farmers whose animals have been slaughtered will commence shortly, but those found to have acted irresponsibly, leading to the outbreak, will not be compensated.
- Agri-money compensation and payments under the pigs outgoers scheme will be paid as soon as possible.
Mr Savage attended the meeting at 10.09am
- Tests on suspect sheep at Ballynure had proved negative.
2.4. In answering members' questions, the Minister advised:
- Reports of sheep being brought in for slaughter and not slaughtered are being investigated and figures will be provided to the Committee when available.
- There is close liaison with authorities in the Republic of Ireland; animals have been slaughtered and test results there have been negative.
- The Minister will continue to be guided by the Chief Veterinary Officer and relevant EU regulations as to the appropriate action to take to contain the current outbreak and protect Northern Ireland from further outbreak. Difficulties in relation to specific meat imports are being discussed with the importer concerned.
- Regionalisation will be pursued at EU level as soon as circumstances permit.
- The authorities on both sides of the Border are investigating illegal trading.
- Co-operation has been secured from the RUC and the Army in relation to enforcement of restrictions.
- Compensation for consequential loss is being looked at as a national issue.
Mr Douglas attended the meeting at 10.25am.
- Follow-up of animals arriving in the Republic of Ireland is a matter for the authorities there.
- Movement of animals poses an unacceptable risk at present. DARD officials are available to give advice on handling lambing and similar issues without unnecessary animal movement. Where movement is deemed essential for an animal's welfare, DARD staff will advise, and will supervise the activity.
- All stock movements need the authority of the Chief Veterinary Officer or one of his 2 Deputy Chief Veterinary Officers.
- Restrictions in relation to pig swill have been tightened and are being monitored once a week.
2.5. The Chairman, on behalf of members, expressed understanding of the strain on the Minister and her officials; thanked and commended them for the action they have taken so far to deal with the situation; and asked the Minister to consider the wider compensation issue.
2.6. The Minister reciprocated the Committee thanks and commended the Ulster Farmers' Union, the farmers and the public for acting responsibly, and the Minister and DARD officials left the meeting at 10.32am.
Top3. Minutes of Proceedings on 2 March 2001
Resolved: that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 2 March 2001 were approved with the addition of an apology from Mr Dallat.
Top4. Matters arising from the meeting on 2 March 2001
4.1. Committee Response to the Minister on Rural Proofing.
Resolved: that the draft letter of response was approved for the Chairman's signature.
4.2. Committee Response to the Minister on the Beef Quality Initiative.
Resolved: that the draft letter of response was approved for the Chairman's signature.
4.3. Letter to the Minister on Fisheries Issues.Members noted the letter issued by the Chairman on 5 March 2001 as agreed by the Committee on 2 March 2001.
4.4. Agrimoney Compensation Package. Members noted a DARD Press Release welcoming the announcement of this package.
4.5. Payment to Specialist Adviser. Members noted that the Specialist Adviser had now accepted the Committee's offer as full and final settlement of his account.
Resolved: that future consideration of specialist adviser appointment includes a requirement to demonstrate evidence of competence and experience.
Top5. Statutory Rules: Formal Consideration
5.1. Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
The Committee considered the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Mr Armstrong attended the meeting at 10.42am
Resolved: that the Committee has no objections to the Rule.
5.2. Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
The Committee considered the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Resolved: that the Committee has no objections to the Rule.
Top6. Statutory Rules: to note
6.1.Specified Risk Material (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Members noted the content of this Statutory Rule that does not require to be laid before the Assembly.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 10.44am.
6.2. Gelatine (Intra-Community Trade) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Members noted the proposal for this Statutory Rule which is being dealt with by the Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee.
Top7. Statutory Rules: Pre-drafting Consultation
7.1. Future Amendments to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.
7.1.1. The Chairman welcomed DARD officials Mr Gerry McCracken and Mr Colin Hart to the meeting at 10.49am and invited them to make an opening statement.
Mr Paisley Jnr left the meeting at 10.49am.
7.1.2. Officials explained amendments that were being considered on animal welfare grounds and that this was a preliminary consultation. They then answered questions from members, explaining that there would be further consultation, with firm proposals and costings when the views of the industry had been received and considered.
7.1.3. Officials were asked to note members' concerns:
- that any proposals should not impose extra costs on the industry, particularly where such costs were not applicable in other Member States;
- that operators would be properly trained and supervised;
Mr Ford and Mr Paisley Jnr returned to the meeting, and Mr Dallat left the meeting, at 11.10am.
- about the need to ensure that animals are not kept in lorries for an unreasonable time;
- that the cost of licences would kept to a minimum; and
- that consultations should include consumer interests.
The Chairman, drawing the session to a close, thanked the officials, who left at 11.24am.
Resolved: that the Clerk would write to officials conveying the Committee's appreciation for the useful briefing.
Top8. Draft Terms of Reference for the Committee's next Inquiries.
8.1. Inquiry into certain aspects of the Livestock and Meat Commission.
8.1.1. The Committee considered draft terms of reference for an Inquiry into certain aspects of the Livestock and Meat Commission, relating to funding, classification services and appointments.
Mr Dallat returned to the meeting at 11.31am.
8.1.2. The Committee deliberated.
8.1.3. Resolved: that the Committee should adopt the Terms of Reference as drafted, with the addition of promotional activities as an item for Inquiry.
8.1.4. Resolved: that the Committee approved the proposed timetable for the Inquiry; bodies to be consulted; and associated Public Notice and Press Release.
8.2. Inquiry into the DARD Rural Development Programme.
8.2.1. The Committee considered draft Terms of Reference for an Inquiry into the DARD Rural Development Programme.
8.2.2. The Committee deliberated.
Resolved: that the Committee should adopt the Terms of Reference as drafted.
Resolved: that the Clerk should draft a Public Notice and Press Release announcing the Inquiry, for consideration at the next Committee meeting.
9.1. Meetings with the Minister about the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.
Mr Paisley Jnr left the meeting at 12.06pm.
Resolved: that the Chairman will write to the Minister seeking a one hour session at each Committee meeting for briefing and to give time to answer members' questions.
9.2. Committee Business in March.
Resolved: that the Committee agreed DARD's proposals for business on 16 and 23 March 2001 and noted postponement of discussions on Flood Plain Development, the Rural Development Programme, and the review of ARINI.
9.3. Aggregates Tax and its Effect on Rural Economies.
Members noted a submission from Friends of the Earth on this subject.
Resolved: that the Committee should invite a delegation from Friends of the Earth to address the meeting on 16 March 2001.
9.4. Postponement of the release of the Vision Group Report.
Members noted the postponement due to DARD preoccupation with the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
The Chairman left the meeting at 12.22pm and the Deputy Chairman took the chair.
9.5. Visit to the Loughs Agency.
Resolved: that the Committee agreed to visit on 4 May 2001 unless a General Election occurs around that time, in which case a later date can be considered. The Clerk to liaise with the Loughs Agency as appropriate.
9.6. Assembly Debate on the Beef and Pigs Reports.
Members deliberated on the proposed timing of the debate in the light of the current foot and mouth disease emergency.
Resolved: that the Chairman proceeds with arrangements for debate on 26 or 27 March 2001.
The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting closed to the public at 12.26pm. and continued in private session.
Top10. Draft Regional Development Strategy
Members were advised that the DRD Committee Chairman had sought the views of the Committee on this draft strategy document. DARD had contributed to the Rural Chapter.
Resolved: that the Committee would postpone discussion until the Committee meeting on Friday 16 March 2001, to allow members additional time to consider the document.
Top11. Date of Next Meeting
11.1. Resolved: that the next meeting would take place on Friday 16 March 2001 at 10.00am in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Deputy Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 12.30pm.
George SavageDeputy Chairman
2 March 2001 / Menu / 16 March 2001