Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 8 APRIL 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Allan Bresland
Trevor Clarke
William Clarke
Pat Doherty
William Irwin
George Savage

In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mary Hawthorne (Clerical Supervisor)
Andrew Dibden (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Thomas Burns

The meeting opened at 1.35pm in Public Session.

  1. Apologies

As above.

  1. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 1 April 2008.

  1. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 1 April 2008.

The Committee acknowledged the correspondence issued to Rose Energy and Communities against Lough Neagh Incinerator and it was agreed that the meeting of both parties should take place in Parliament Buildings.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 1 April 2008.

The Committee acknowledged the correspondence received on Forkhill ex-military base and requested that they received copies on decision made.

  1. Presentation – Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU)

Kenneth Sharkey, Raymond Pogue, Norman Robson and Colin Smith representatives from UFU, joined the meeting at 1.38pm and made a presentation highlighting the challenges and pressures on the Pig Industry in Northern Ireland. The representatives answered questions from Members and left the meeting at 2.16 pm.

P J Bradley joined the meeting at 1.40pm.
George Savage joined the meeting at 1.46pm.

  1. Presentation- Review of Less Favoured Areas

Norman Fulton and Rosemary Agnew, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.16pm and made a presentation on their Review of Less Favoured Areas in Northern Ireland. The officials answered questions from Members and it was agreed that they would return to Committee in late June to deliver the formal consultation documents prior to its launch.

Tom Elliott left the meeting at 2.25pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.05 pm.

  1. Presentation – Post Office Ltd

Arthur Magee, Barbara Roulston and Sheila McCann, representatives from the Post Office, joined the meeting at 3.10pm and made a presentation the proposed changes to Post Offices in Northern Ireland. The representatives then answered questions from the Members.
Tom Elliott rejoined the meeting at 3.10pm.

The meeting was suspended at 3.30pm.
The meeting reconvened at 3.51pm.
The officials left the meeting at 4.00pm.

  1. SL1 – The Olive Oil (Marketing Standards) Regulations (NI) 2008

Davy Millar, Department official, joined the meeting at 4.01pm and made a presentation on the proposed rules in the marketing of Olive Oil in Northern Ireland. The official then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.

The official left the meeting at 4.02pm.

  1. SL1 – The Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment)
    Regulations (NI) 2008

Peter Scott, Alan Galbraith and Brian Ervine, Department officials, joined the meeting at 4.03pm and made a presentation on the proposed changes in The Nitrates Action Programme. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.

PJ Bradley left the meeting at 4.05pm.
Brian Ervine, DARD official left the meeting at 4.06pm.

  1. SL1- Organic Farming Regulations (NI) 2008

Peter Scott, Alan Galbraith, Harry Gracey and Martin Mooney, Department officials, made a presentation to the Committee in respect of introducing a grant scheme to support farmers who may wish to covert to Organic Farming. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.

  1. SL1 – Countryside Management Regulations (NI) 2008

Peter Scott, Alan Galbraith, Harry Gracey and Martin Mooney, Department officials, made a presentation to the Committee on a grant scheme to assist farmers in the protection of the countryside. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.

The officials left the meeting at 4.20pm.

  1. Statutory Rule- Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendment) Regulations (NI)2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered Potatoes Originating in Egypt (Amendments) Regulations (NI) 2008 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report has no objection to the rule.

PJ Bradley rejoined the meeting at 4.24pm.

  1. Committee Inquiry – Oral Submissions

Jim Kitchen, the Committee’s Specialist adviser, joined the meeting at 4.25pm and briefed the Committee on all written submissions for the Committee’s inquiry into ‘Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Uses’. He then gave his recommendations on which groups should be called for Oral Evidence. The Committee agreed to his recommendations and he left the meeting at 4.35pm.

  1. AOB

The Committee acknowledged the press release on the Committee Delegation to Harper Adams University in Shropshire on Wednesday 9 April 2008.

The Clerk to the Committee advised Members of the meeting with the Rural Development Sub-Committee, National Assembly for Wales on Thursday 17 April 2008.

Tom Elliott requested an update on the Review of the Forest Service and the promise from Brussels to help the Fishing Industry in Northern Ireland. It was agreed to look into these matters.

  1. Date of Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 15 April 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.38pm.

Chairperson

Date

01 April 08 / Menu