COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY 13 JANUARY 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
P J Bradley
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Willie Clarke
Pat Doherty
William Irwin
Francie Molloy
Edwin Poots
George Savage
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Emma Patton (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Frank Geddis (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
The meeting opened at 10.35am in Public Session .
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes of last meeting
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 9 December 2008.
3. Matters arising
- Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 9 December 2008.
- Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 9 December 2008.
The Committee noted the correspondence from the department on queries arising from the meeting of 2 December 2008.
The Committee noted correspondence and agreed to the requests from Ballylaw Farming Group and Farmers for Action to present to Committee
Edwin Poots joined the meeting at 1.40pm.
4. Presentation – DARD – Dioxins
Liam McKidden and Bert Houston joined the meeting at 1.40pm and presented to Committee on the dioxins scare of early December. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 1.41pm.
Francie Molloy left the meeting at 2.25pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.25pm.
5. Presentation – The Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum
Boyd Hunter, Anthony Forbes and Seamus Carr and Hugh Hamill, representatives from The Northern Ireland Pork and Bacon Forum, joined the meeting at 2.25pm and presented to Committee on the effects of the dioxins scare has on the meat industry. The officials then answered questions from the Members.
George Savage left the meeting at 3.10pm.
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 3.10pm.
Edwin Poots left the meeting at 3.11pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.12pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 3.15pm.
6. Presentation- DARD – Alleged abuse of Filipino Fishermen
Mark McCaughan, departmental official joined the meeting at 3.15pm and made a presentation on the above. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.
Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 3.20pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 3.21pm.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 3.21pm.
George Savage re-joined the meeting at 3.40pm.
The official left the meeting at 3.40pm.
7. DARD – Financial Outturns
The Committee noted the department’s Financial Outturns and agreed that departmental officials should return to present to Committee at the meeting of 3 February 2009.
8. DARD – Presentation - Draft Evidence and Innovation Strategy
Norman Fulton and Elaine McCrory joined the meeting at 3.42pm and presented to Committee on the above. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 3.42pm.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 3.44pm.
William Irwin left meeting at 3.44pm.
William Clarke left the meeting at 3.48pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.58pm.
9. Presentation – The Eggs and Chicks (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Jill Garrett and Niall Heaney, department officials joined the meeting at 3.58pm. Following their presentation, the question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Eggs & Chicks (No.2) Regulations (NI) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.
10. Pre-consultation – Loughs Agency Regulations
The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
11. SR – The Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowances (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Question put and agreed
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowances (No.2) Regulations (NI) 2008 and subject to the Examiner’s Report,has no objection to the rule.
12. Future Presentations
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
13. AOB
Members were reminded of the Committee visit to The Netherlands, which will take place on 21 January 2009 to 23 January 2009.
14. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 20 January 2009 at 10.30am in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.02pm.
Chairperson
Date