MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 31 MAY 2002
HELD IN ROOM 135 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr G Savage (Deputy Chairman)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr P J Bradley
Mr B Douglas
Mr G Kane
Mr M Murphy
Mr G McHugh
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Apologies: Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP (Chairman)
Mr J Dallat
In attendance: Mr P Moore
Miss J Adair
Mr S McCann
Mr J McCourt
The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting open in private session at 10.07 a.m.
1. Minutes of Proceedings on Friday 24 May 2002.
1.1. Resolved: That the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 24 May 2002 were approved.
2. Matters Arising from the Meeting on 24 May 2002
2.1. Correspondence: Members noted receipt of correspondence by e-mail from the meeting on 24 May 2002.
2.2. DARD Paper on Information to Committee: Members considered a copy of a draft response to the Minister, following her letter setting out proposals for the handling of future business.
2.3. Resolved: That the response be issued.
2.4. Resolved: That a press release be issued highlighting the review of working relationships between DARD and the Committee and looking forward to improved practices.
2.5. Arable Area Payments: Members noted a response from DARD supporting the Ulster Farmers Union stance on this issue.
2.6. Resolved: That a copy of DARD's response be forwarded to the UFU.
Mr Murphy attended the meeting at 10.12 a.m.
2.7. Fur Farming (Prohibition) Bill: Members noted a request from Newtownabbey Borough Council to extend the deadline for submissions to 11 June 2002.
2.8. Resolved: That the Committee agreed to extend the deadline to 11 June 2002.
2.9. Members noted that responses had been received from 'Respect for Animals' and 'Compassion in World Farming' and that a submission had been sought from 'Central Lobby Consultants'.
2.10. Meeting with National Beef Association: Members had discussed changing the date of the meeting with the NBA to either 7 or 21 June but were informed that flight arrangements had already been made for 14 June.
2.11. Resolved: That the meeting take place as agreed on 14 June 2002.
Mr Mc Hugh attended the meeting at 10.17 a.m.
2.12. Any Other Business: A member raised the issue of low milk prices and suggested that it would be useful for the Committee to seek an explanation of the milk auction system.
2.13. Resolved: That the Committee would approach United Dairy Farmers to seek such an explanation, with a view to a meeting as soon as possible.
3. Departmental Budget - Committee Consideration
3.1. Running Costs: Members noted a letter from the Minister asking to defer consideration of the DARD management plan until a later date.
3.2. Resolved: That consideration of the management plan be deferred until 21 June 2002.
Mr Armstrong attended the meeting at 10.24 a.m.
3.3. Executive Programme Funds and Reinvestment and Reform Initiative: Members agreed the running order of the meeting with officials from the Department.
The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 10.44 a.m. Officials from the Department attended the meeting at 10.45 a.m.
3.4. The Deputy Chairman welcomed the officials and invited Mr Jim Ditchfield to make an opening statement. Mr Ditchfield explained that DARD had very little time to prepare bids but asked the Committee to support them in principle. He also made it clear that bids would be subject to full economic appraisal.
3.5. The Deputy Chairman explained the running order of the meeting and Mr Ditchfield was joined by Mr Tom Stainer in answering questions. Officials answered members' general questions on the credibility of DARD's bids, DARD's expectations for their bids, prioritisation of the bids, value for money and the amount of recommendations implemented from the Vision Report.
3.6. Mr Ditchfield was joined by Dr Robin Boyd and Mrs Eileen Sung in answering members' questions on the Science Service including the replacement of the Marine Research Vessel, Marine Research equipment a new electricity sub-station and on fisheries, namely improvements at Kilkeel Harbour.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 11.29 a.m.
3.7. Mr Malcolm Beatty joined Mr Ditchfield in answering members' questions on Forestry including the development of Forestry infrastructure and the profitability of the Forestry division.
3.8. Mr Ditchfield was joined by Mr Earl Long in explaining the bids for IT and e-business and the benefits for the rural communities from these projects.
The Deputy Chairman thanked the officials and they left the meeting at 12.00 p.m. Mr Paisley Jnr left the meeting at 12.01 p.m. Mr Mc Hugh left the meeting at 12.02 p.m. The meeting was adjourned until 12.11 p.m. when the Deputy Chairman declared the meeting open to the public. Messrs Armstrong, Douglas, Kane and Murphy were all present.
4. Potato Sector
4.1. Mr William Taylor of the Ware Potato Growers Group attended the meeting to discuss concerns about the lack of improvement in potato market sales.
Mr Bradley returned to the meeting at 12.13 p.m. Mr Paisley Jnr returned to the meeting at 12.32 p.m.
4.2. Mr Taylor answered members' questions on the future of the potato industry, the possibility of a co-operative being formed, the impact of cold storage of potatoes, the impact of the Vision Report on the Potato industry, the review of the potato sector and the seed potato industry. The Deputy Chairman thanked Mr Taylor for attending and he left the meeting at 12.52 p.m.
4.3. Resolved: That a letter be sent to the Minister seeking an update on concerns about the potato sector and that a copy of the Minister's response on the Agrolon position be forwarded to Mr Taylor.
4.4. Resolved: That a visit to Mr Taylor's farm be considered at some time in the future.
The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting to be in private session at 12.53 p.m.
5. Executive Programme Funds and Reinvestment and Reform Initiative
5.1. Members considered their response to the Department on DARD proposed bids under the Executive Programme Funds and the bids already made under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.
5.2. Resolved: That a letter be sent to the Minister agreeing in principle to the bids as a whole, subject to the full economic appraisal of each of the bids.
6. Statutory Rules
6.1. Members noted the 13th Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
7. Any Other Business
7.1. 21st European Outlook Conference: Members noted information provided by the Assembly Research and Library Services on the 21st European Outlook Conference.
7.2. Letter of Thanks: Members noted a letter of thanks from Mr John Gilliland, President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, regarding the Committee's congratulations on his appointment.
7.3. Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, Loughs Agency: Members noted extracts from the Loughs Agency Corporate Plan 2002/04 and their Business Plan 2002.
7.4. Suckler Cow Premium (S.C.P.) Payments: A member raised his concerns about delays in payment of S.C.P. to farmers of up to 3 weeks following the retention period. Members were reminded of the Minister's most recent update on premium payments.
Resolved: That members would take up individual cases on a constituency basis.
8. Date of Next Meeting
8.1. Resolved: That the next meeting will take place on 7 June 2002 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings, at the earlier time of 9.30 a.m. in order to allow preparation for the session with the Minister.
8.2. Resolved: That the Committee would meet with the Assembly's researchers during the 7 June meeting to discuss progress against research elements of the Foot and Mouth Disease Inquiry.
The Deputy Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 1.10 p.m.
Dr IRK Paisley
Chairman