COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY 21 OCTOBER 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
PJ Bradley
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Pat Doherty
William Irwin
Edwin Poots
George Savage
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Diarmaid Elder (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
William Clarke
The meeting opened at 1.31pm in Public Session .
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 14 October 2008.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 14 October 2008.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 1.33pm.
Tom Elliott joined the meeting at 1.34pm.
PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.36pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 1.40pm.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 14 October 2008.
(c) Tabled Correspondence
Members noted tabled correspondence.
4. Presentation - DARD – Strategic Stocktake Returns
Colette McMaster, John Smith and Roly Harwood, department officials, joined the meeting at 1.50pm and made a presentation on the DARD’s Strategic Stocktake Returns. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 1.50pm.
Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 2.25pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.37pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.55pm.
5. Committee Bill – The Diseases of Animals
The Committee Clerk briefed the Committee on the responses to the Committee Bill on the Diseases of Animals.
6. SL1 – The Organic Farming (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.
7. SL1 – The Plant Protection Products (Amendment No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.
8. SR – The Agriculture (Student Fees) (Amendment)Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Agriculture (Student Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
9. SR – The European Fisheries Fund (Grants) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed.
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The European Fisheries (Grants) Regulations Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
10. Future Presentation
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
11. AOB
The Committee Clerk brief Members on an invitation to attend the International Renewable Energy Conference to be held in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle Co. Down on 29 and 30 October 2008. It was agreed that a representative from the Committee office would attend and report to Committee.
12. Future Presentation
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 November 2008 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.05pm.
Chairperson
Date