COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
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:
None
The meeting opened at 10.37am in Public Session , Mr Elliott in the Chair .
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 13 January 2009 and 27 January 2009.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence Issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 27 January 2009.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 27 January 2009.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety seeking response from the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in respect of a child obesity inquiry.
The Committee noted correspondence from the department detailing imports from Bluetongue restricted areas. The Committee agreed to issue a statement calling for farmers to avoid importing animals from Bluetongue restricted areas.
The Committee noted the Third Annual Report on the Operation of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004.
The Committee noted a report entitled ‘Review of the Inshore Fisheries Management in Northern Ireland’ and agreed that the Department provide a progress report in respect of this matter.
(c) Tabled correspondence
The Committee noted the department’s response to Committee amendments of the Diseases of Animals Bill, arising from the meeting of 27 January 2009.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 10.36am.
Willie Clarke joined the meeting at 10.40am.
4. Committee Bill – The Diseases of Animals Bill – ‘Clause by Clause’ Consideration
Clause 1 - Extension to power to slaughter
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with the clause insofar as it extends the departments powers to slaughter animals and poultry with a view to preventing the spread of disease. That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is not content with the policy approach in respect of clause 1 as it is not sufficiently proactive in respect of the eradication of bovine Tuberculosis and therefore recommends that they undertake a formal Committee inquiry into amending the Diseases of Animal Order 1981 in order to introduce a defined, compulsory bovine Tuberculosis eradication programme.’
Clause 2 – Slaughter of Animals and Poultry treated with serum or vaccine
Clause 3 – Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with the clauses 2 and 3 as drafted.’
Clause 4 - Powers of Entry
Members were briefed by department officials on the particulars of Clause 4 – Powers of Entry. Following discussions with the department, the Committee was not content with the proposed amends to clause 4. The Committee agreed that it would seek legal advice on a number of issues.
Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 11.05am.
Clause 5 - Failure to give a name and address
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with the clause 5 as drafted.’
Clause 6 - Fixed Penalties for certain offences
The Minister intends to give notice of her intention to oppose the question that clause 6 stands as part of the Bill.
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is not content with the clause 6 as drafted.’
Clause 7 – Prosecutions: Time Limit
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with the clause 7 as drafted.’
Clause 8 - Bio-Security Guidance
The Department agreed to delete references to the link to compensation.
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recommends to the Assembly that clause 8 be amended as agreed between the Committee and the Department and that the Committee agrees to the text of the amendment.’
William Irwin left the meeting at 11.07am.
Clause 9 – Power to regulate the supply of fodder
Clause 10 – Fees and expenses
Question put and agreed ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with clauses 9 to 10 as drafted.’
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 11.09am.
Clause 11- Deliberate Infection
The Department is awaiting correspondence in relation to the clause from the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office. The Committee agreed that they would consider this clause whenever this was received.
Clause 12 – Seizure and Destruction of things liable to spread disease
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recommends to the Assembly that clause 12 be amended as agreed between the Committee and the Department and that the Committee agrees to the text of the amendment’.
Clause 13 – Control of Vaccines
Clause 14 – Treatment of Animals or Poultry
Clause 15 – Regulation of movement of animals and poultry
Clause 16- Registration and approval of livestock dealers
Clause 17- Export of animals and poultry
Clause 18 – Records and returns
Clause 19 – Inspection, etc., of imports
Clause 20 – Power to inspect, cleanse and disinfect vehicles
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with clauses 13 to 20 as drafted.’
Clause 21 – Procedures for Orders
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recommends to the Assembly that clause 21 be amended as agreed between the Committee and the Department and that the Committee agrees to the text of the amendment.’
Clause 22 – Minor and consequential amendments and repeals
Clause 23 - Commencement
Clause 24 – Short title
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with clauses 22 to 24 as drafted’.
Schedules 1 and 2
Question put and agreed; ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development is content with Schedules 1 and 2 as drafted.
Schedule 3
Question put and agreed, ‘That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recommends to the Assembly that Schedule 3 be amended as agreed between the Committee and the Department and that the Committee agrees to the text of the amendment.
The officials left the meeting at 11.15am.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.15am.
The meeting re-convened at 11.35am with Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson), Thomas Burns, Willie Clarke, William Irwin and George Savage present.
5. Presentation – DARD – Update of Hardship Scheme on Floods
Peter Toner, Seamus Hughes and Jonathan McAdams joined the meeting at 11.36am and updated the Committee on the Hardship Scheme to assist farmers affected by the flooding event of 15/16 August 2008.
Pat Doherty joined the meeting at 11.37am.
Edwin Poots joined the meeting at 11.40am.
Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 11.50am.
William Irwin left the meeting at 11.51am.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 11.55am.
Proposal from Mr Willie Clarke: That the Agriculture Hardship Payment Scheme should not have a minimum threshold in respect of payment:
Ayes: Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson), Thomas Burns, Trevor Clarke, Willie Clarke, Pat Doherty, Francie Molloy, George Savage and Edwin Poots.
Noes: 0
The officials left the meeting at 12.00pm.
6. Consultation – EC’s Review of the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002
Members noted the above consultation papers and agreed that officials should return and present to Committee with an analytical summary of the consultation responses.
7. SL1 – Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee agreed that the above mentioned rule should progress to the next legislative stage.
8. SL1- Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee agreed that the above mentioned rule should progress to the next legislative stage.
9. SR – The Beef and Veal labelling Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
Question put and agreed, “The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the rule”.
10. Future Presentations
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 12.03pm.
The meeting moved into Closed Session at 12.05pm.
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 12.06pm.
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 12.15pm.
Willie Clarke rejoined the meeting at 12.16pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 12.20pm.
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson) took the chair at 12.20pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 12.35pm.
The meeting re-convened at 1.36pm with Dr William McCrea (Chairperson), Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson), Pat Doherty, Francie Molloy, George Savage and Edwin Poots present.
11. Presentation – Farmers For Action
Sean McAuley and William Taylor, representatives from Farmers For Action, joined the meeting at 1.36pm and presented to Committee on the difficulties currently facing the Farming Community. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 1.37pm.
Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 1.37pm.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 2.11pm.
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 2.19pm.
Pat Doherty rejoined the meeting at 2.29pm.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 2.29pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 2.44pm.
12. Presentation – DARD – February Monitoring Round
John Smith, department official, joined the meeting at 2.45pm and presented on the department’s February Monitoring Round. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.
Francie Molloy left the meeting at 3.01pm.
The official left the meeting at 3.04pm.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 February 2009 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.05pm.Chairperson
Date