COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2007
ROOM 152 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Dr William McCrea MP (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
Willie Clarke
Trevor Clarke
William Irwin
Gerry McHugh
George Savage
In attendance: Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mary Hawthorne (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Neill (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: P J Bradley
The meeting opened at 1.30pm in Public Session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 6 November 2007.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 6 November 2007.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 6 November 2007.
4. Draft Budget
Gerry Lavery, John Smith and Tom Rodgers, Department officials, joined the meeting at 1.36pm and gave a presentation on the draft Budget.
Mr W Clarke joined the meeting at 1.36pm
Mr McHugh joined the meeting at 1.42pm.
The officials answered a number of questions from the members on the proposals.
Mr Burns joined the meeting at 2.48pm.
It was agreed that further questions would be sent to the Department for response. The officials left the meeting at 2.50pm.
5. NIPSA – DARD Direct Closures
Noel Griffin, David Stuart, Michael Herron and Heather Cammock, NIPSA officials, joined the meeting at 2.51pm and gave a presentation on NIPSA’s view of the impact of the introduction of dedicated DARD Direct offices throughout Northern Ireland. They then answered questions from the members.
The officials left the meeting at 3.36pm.
It was agreed to write to the Department and NIPSA regarding issues raised during this presentation.
6. Strangford Lough – Prohibition of sea fishing within “non-disturbance” zones
After consideration, the Committee had no objection to the proposed consultation exercise. The Department will advise the Committee of the outcome of the consultation exercise.
7. Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
The Committee agreed to receive a future presentation from the above group.
8. Avian Flu - update
Bert Houston, Chief Veterinary Officer, joined the meeting at 3.39pm and updated the Committee on the latest position regarding the outbreak of Avian Flu in GB. The Committee then asked Mr Houston questions on the subject.
The Committee welcomed the measures taken to date and fully supported the call for vigilance from everyone to prevent the spread of this disease to Northern Ireland.
Mr Houston left the meeting at 3.47pm.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 3.47pm.
The meeting moved into Closed Session at 3.48pm.
9. Alpha-Nortestosterone Inquiry
Joan Ruddock, who had been commissioned by the Department to carry out a review into DARD’s handling of the alpha-nortestosterone issue, joined the meeting at 3.48pm and gave a presentation on the outcome of her review.
Mr Irwin left the meeting at 3.59pm.
Mrs Rudoock answered questions from the members on her methodology and findings.
Mr W Clark left the meeting at 4.02pm.
Mrs Ruddock left the meeting at 4.15pm.
10. AOB
(a) It was agreed to ascertain what would be required if the Committee wished to bring forward legislation to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board.
(b) It was agreed to receive a presentation from the Ulster Farmer’s Union Rural Development Committee.
11. Date of Next Meeting
The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 20 November 2007 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.16 pm.