COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Allan Bresland
Trevor Clarke
William Clarke
William Irwin
George Savage
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mary Hawthorne (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
None
The meeting opened at 1.35pm in Closed Session .
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Presentation – Northern Ireland Assembly Bill Office
Martin Wilson, Patricia Casey and Eilis Haughey , Assembly officials, joined the meeting at 1.35pm and presented to Committee on the particulars of Committee Stage of the Disease of Animals Bill. The officials then answered questions from Members.
The officials left the meeting at 2.10 pm.
The meeting moved into Public session.
3. Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 3 September 2008.
4. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued during recess.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Deputy Chair to the Minister regarding emergency aid for farmers severely impacted by floods.
The Committee noted correspondence to the department advising that the consultation on cost sharing can proceed.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received during recess.
The Committee noted correspondence received from DARD that they intend reviewing the Research and Education Advisory Panel
The Committee noted correspondence received from DARD about the Terms of reference for the review of rural development education and rural skills.
5. Presentation – DARD – Wind Turbine Review
Kevin Murphy, DARD official joined the meeting at 2.25pm and presented to Committee on the Wind Turbine Review. The representative then answered questions from Members.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 2.40pm
PJ Bradley re- joined the meeting at 2.45pm.
The official left the meeting at 3.01 pm.
6. Presentation- September Monitoring Round
John Smith, Lynda Lowe, George O’Doherty, Roly Harwood and Malcolm Beatty, DARD officials joined the meeting at 15.05pm and made a presentation on September Monitoring Round. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 3.46pm.
Tom Elliott rejoined the meeting at 3.55pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.56pm.
7. Presentation – Rural Champion – Proofing Process
Liam McKibben and Keith Morrison joined the meeting at 3.56pm and made a presentation on the Rural Champion’s Proofing Process. . Following their presentation, Members asked questions.
The officials left the meeting at 4.20pm.
8. Pre-consultation – Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
DARD has issued a consultation document during the recess period on the above legislation. The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
9. Pre-consultation – Responsibility and Cost-Sharing
DARD has issued a consultation document during the recess period on the above legislation. The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
10. Pre-consultation – Scallop Fishing in Northern Ireland Inshore Waters
DARD has issued a consultation document during the recess period on the above legislation. The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
George Savage left the meeting at 4.51pm.
11. SL1 – Sea Fishing (Penalty Notices) Regulations (NI) 2008
Paddy Campbell, department official, joined the meeting at 4.26pm and made a presentation to Committee on proposed changes to the above legislation. The official then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.
Allan Bresland left the meeting at 4.26pm
William Irwin left the meeting at 4.27pm.
Allan Bresland rejoined the meeting at 4.35pm.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 4.37pm.
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 4.53pm.
The official left the meeting at 4.53pm.
12. SL1 – Agriculture (Student Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008
Norman Fulton and Alan McCartney, department officials, joined the meeting at 4.52pm and made a presentation to Committee on the proposed changes to the above legislation. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.
The officials left the meeting at 4.55pm.
13. SR – Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations (NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations (NI) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s report has no objection to the rule.
14. Axis 1 Measures under the Rural Development Programme
(a) SR - Vocational Training and Information Actions
Grants Regulations (NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Vocational Training and Information Actions Grants Regulations (NI) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s report has no objection to the rule.
(b) SR – Farm Modernisation Programme Regulations
(NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Farm Modernisation Programme Regulations (NI) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s report has no objection to the rule.
(c) SR – Supply Chain Development Programme Grant
Regulations (NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Supply Chain Development Programme Grant Regulations (NI) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s report has no objection to the rule.
15. SR – Reporting of Prices of Milk Products Regulations (NI) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Reporting of Prices of Milk Products Regulations (NI) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s report has no objection to the rule.
16. Committee Procedures
The Committee Clerk requested the Committee to consider a number of changes in the Committee’s Procedures. The Members agreed to the proposed changes.
17. Future Business
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
18. AOB
19. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 September 2008 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 5.01pm.
Chairperson
Date