COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2007
CONFERENCE ROOM, CAFRE, ENNISKILLEN
Present: Dr William McCrea MP (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
Willie Clarke
Trevor Clarke
George Savage
In attendance: Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Jim Beatty (Assistant Clerk)
Mary Hawthorne (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Neill (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: William Irwin, Gerry McHugh
The meeting opened at 1.04pm in Public Session.
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Apologies
As above.
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Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 20 November 2007.
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Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 20 November 2007.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 20 November 2007.
The Committee agreed to seek the views of NIFPO when the Department brings forward proposals on scallop conservation, suction dredging and prohibition of trawling in Belfast Lough.
The Committee agreed to receive an urgent presentation from the NI Trawlermen’s Trading Co.
(c) Draft Budget
The Committee agreed to write to DARD with queries on allocation and delivery of its budgets.
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CAFRE Presentation
John Fay, Director, Finbar Daly, lecturer, Stephen Farrell and Shauna Nolan, CAFRE students, joined the meeting at 1.11pm and gave a presentation on the role of CAFRE, Enniskillen and how students are developed to play a meaningful role in the equine industry. They then answered questions from the members.
The Committee wished to record its appreciation for the presentation and especially to the contribution made by the students. The representatives left the meeting at 1.44pm.
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Presentation – Sperrins Tourism Ltd
David Erwin and Helen Noble, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, Cllr Pat McDonnell, Sperrins Tourism Ltd and Camilla Fitzpatrick, Mourne Heritage Trust, joined the meeting at 1.45pm and gave a presentation on the role of their organisations in delivering NRRTI funding. They then answered questions from the members.
The representatives left the meeting at 2.30pm.
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Presentation – UFU Rural Development Committee
John Thompson, David Mark, Sharon Porter and Wilbert Mayne, representatives of the UFU Rural Development Committee, joined the meeting at 2.31pm and gave a presentation on their organisation’s views of the Rural Development Programme.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 3.00pm..
The representatives then answered questions from the members.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.05pm.
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SL1 – The Milk and Milk Products (Pupils in Edicational Establishments) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2007
Jill Garrett and Daniel Glenn, Department officials, joined the meeting at 3.06pm and gave a presentation on the proposed Statutory Rule. The officials then answered questions from the members.
The Committee agreed to the proposal.
The officials left the meeting at 3.10pm.
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SL1 – The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment No 2) Regulations 2007
Averill Gaw, Department official, John McCartney and Stanley Thorpe, Lough Agency officials, joined the meeting at 3.11pm and gave a presentation on the proposed Statutory Rule. The officials then answered questions from the members.
The Committee agreed to the proposal.
The officials left the meeting at 3.30pm.
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Committee Inquiry
The Committee agreed the aims and Terms of Reference, a Forward Work Programme for delivery of the inquiry and a press notice which will also be inserted into periodicals as well as the local newspapers. It was agreed that the Committee would use the services of a specialist advisor, if necessary.
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Erne Waterways Levels
The Committee considered a response from the Rivers Agency to a letter forwarded on behalf Mr Clarke. It was agreed to write to the Agency with a number of outstanding queries.
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AOB
(a) The Committee recorded its appreciation to the management of CAFRE and, in particular, to the staff and students of the Enniskillen campus for their hospitality in accommodating today’s meeting and to the management and staff of Inishkeen House for their hospitality and presentation on DARD Direct.
(b) The Committee was advised of the arrangements for the visit to Brussels. It was agreed that a delegation of four members would meet Commissioner Borg.
(c) The Committee agreed to write to the Department regarding financial aid for the Glenarm salmon fisheries and the prawn industry and how the Department will distribute the £12.76m funding announced by the Minister.
(d) The Committee agreed to write to the Department about attendance at the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2008.
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Date of Next Meeting
The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 4 December 2007 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.00pm.
Chairperson
Date