COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 22 APRIL 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILIDINGS.
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Allan Bresland
Thomas Burns
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)
Jonathan Young (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: None
The meeting opened at 1.32pm in Public Session .
-
Apologies
As above.
-
Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 15 April 2008.
-
Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 15 April 2008.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 15 April 2008.
The Committee considered the Financial Assistance for Young Farmers (New Entrants) Scheme and agreed to proceed it to the next stage.
The Committee considered the request from the Ulster Wildlife Trust to appear before Committee in relation to badgers and TB in cattle. It was decided to defer this meeting until the Committee had opportunity to consider the Badger Stakeholder report.
The Committee considered the request from Belfast Lough (Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Scheme) C.L.A.M.S to meet with Members to discuss the proposed ‘Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing and Fishing Methods (Amendment) Regulations (NI). It was agreed this is matter should be referred to DARD.
The Committee acknowledged an invitation from DARD’s Countryside Management Scheme to visit sites participating in the scheme.
Pat Doherty joined the meeting at 1.37pm.
Willie Clarke joined the meeting at 1.37pm.
-
Presentation- Rural Anti-poverty and Social Exclusion Framework
Paul Donnelly and Keith Morrison, Department officials joined the meeting at 1.37pm and made a presentation on their Rural Anti-poverty and Social Exclusion Framework. The officials answered questions from Members.
Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 1.45pm.
PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.55pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.05 pm.
-
SL1- The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
Peter Toner and Jim Crummie, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.05pm and made a presentation on the proposed changes in relation to The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees). 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 2.15pm.
-
SL1 – The Zoonoses and Animal by-products (Fees) Regulations (NI) 2008
Ian McKee and Austin Brown, Department officials, joined the meeting at 2.15pm and made a presentation on the proposed changes in relation to The Zoonoses and Animal by-products (Fees). The officials then answered questions from the Members. The matter was deferred to allow for further Committee consideration.
The officials left the meeting at 2.30pm.
-
SL1-The Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
George O’Doherty, Keith Morrison, Valerie Bell and Mark McLean, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.30pm and briefed the Committee on the proposed changes in the CAP Single Payment and Support Schemes. The officials then answered questions from the Members. The matter was deferred to allow for further Committee consideration.
P J Bradley left the meeting at 2.47pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.50pm.
-
SLI-The Fish Health (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
Nigel Quinn, Paul Moore and Mark McCaughan, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.50pm and presented to Committee proposed legislation to combat the spread of Bonamia in Strangford Lough. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.50pm.
Tom Elliott joined the meeting at 2.55pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.00pm.
-
Red Meat Seminar – Stakeholders’ Responses
Members noted the stakeholders’ responses to the Committee’s Red Meat Seminar.
-
Committee Bill – Abolition of Agricultural Wages Board – Stakeholders’ Responses .
Members noted the responses to the Committee’s Bill on the Abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board.
-
AOB
It was agreed that Msc Rural Development Students from Draperstown should be invited to appear before Committee to present on the proposed abolition of their course.
It was noted that the Minister will release a statement next Monday 28 April 2008 regarding the Fishing Industry.
Members were reminded to attend the first Oral Evidence Session for the Committee’s Inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use, which is to be held in the Senate Chamber on Thursday 24 April. 2008.
-
Date of Next Meeting
The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 29 April 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.23pm.