Northern Ireland
Assembly
Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee for
Agriculture and Rural Development
Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX
Joe Cassells
Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer
Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development
Room 509
Dundonald House
Belfast
BT4 3SB
27 January 2009
Dear Joe
COMMITTEE MEETING – 27 JANUARY 2009
I refer to the above.
The Committee noted the Ministers response in respect of the roll out of DARD Direct Offices. The Committee has expressed its disappointment that the Department has chosen to locate an office in Claudy as opposed to what it believes would be a more sensible and accessible location in Londonderry. In addition, the Committee is disappointed to note that a potential site in Antrim has been removed.
The Committee also noted the Department’s response in respect of feed contaminated with dioxin and has asked that they be kept apprised of the continuing investigations/inquiries into this matter.
The Committee noted the Department’s responses in respect of the Draft Diseases of Animals Bill and has asked that the Department return to the next meeting with an amended draft Bill. The Committee will then undertake formal scrutiny of each of the clauses before reporting in plenary session at a later date. I will keep you apprised of progress accordingly.
The Committee has asked that the Department provide it with a written update in respect of the Better Regulations exercise. I would appreciate if this could be forwarded to my office no later than noon, 12 February 2009.
The Committee agreed that the following matter progress to the legislative stage:
- The Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.
The Committee approved the following statutory rules:
- The European Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Amendment) Regulations 2008;
- The Plant Health (Amendment No 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Plant Protection Products (Amendment No 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Measures) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Sea Fishing (Marking and Identification of Passive Fishing Gear and Beam Trawls) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008;
- The Seed Potatoes (Levy) (Revocation) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008; and
- The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Committee agreed that departmental officials would not be required in respect of the following matter but that the Department return with a detailed analysis of consultation responses:
- Dard consultation on the European Commissions Review of EU Animal By-Products Regulation
The Committee agreed that departmental officials would not be required in respect of the following matters:
- The Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations 2009
- The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
Yours sincerely
Paul Carlisle
Clerk to the Committee for
Agriculture and Rural Development