COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
PJ Bradley
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Edwin Poots
George Savage
Pat Doherty
Willie Clarke
Francie Molloy
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Shauna Mageean (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Frank Geddis (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Thomas Burns
William Irwin
The meeting commenced at 1.07pm in Open Session
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 9 June 2009.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 9 June 2009.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 9 June 2009.
(c) Correspondence tabled
The Committee noted the correspondence tabled at the meeting.
4. Presentation – DARD – Ministerial Attendance – Disease of Animals Bill
The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, and departmental officials Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, Colette McMaster and Owen Denny made a presentation regarding the deferral of the consideration stage of the Disease of Animals Bill, specifically in relation to the proposed withdrawal of the previously proposed amendment to Clause 8 and insertion of a new amendment regarding the link between compliance with biosecurity guidance and compensation. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Edwin Poots entered the meeting at 1.19pm
Trevor Clarke entered the meeting at 1.19pm
Thomas Burns entered the meeting at 2.09pm
Francie Molloy left the meeting at 2.32pm
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.47pm
The Minister and officials left the meeting at 2.47pm
5. Presentation – Ulster Farmers’ Union – Disease of Animals Bill
Graham Furey, Clarke Black and Wesley Aston, Ulster Farmers’ Union joined the meeting at 2.49pm and presented to Committee in respect of the Disease of Animals Bill. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Following presentations, Members debated the matter and agreed that the Committee should have sight of the text of the proposed new amendment and an appropriate period of time to consider and consult on the proposed amendment.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 2.57pm
The representatives left the meeting at 3.22pm
6. Presentation – DARD – Better Regulations Review
Michael Dowling, David Graham, Dr. Brian Jack and Paul Caskie, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 3.23pm and presented to the Committee in respect of the Better Regulations Review and Report. Following the presentation, Members put questions
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 3.26pm
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 3.26pm
Willie Clarke rejoined the meeting at 3.30pm
Pat Doherty rejoined the meeting at 3.39pm
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 3.46pm
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 3.59pm
The officials left the meeting at 4.00pm
7. Presentation – DARD – Draft Code of Practice for Searches of Premises Under Warrant
Mike Steel and Danny Gray, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 4.03pm and presented to the Committee in respect of the Draft Code of Practice. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Members agreed that Committee issue a public notice asking for industry comments on the draft code of practice.
Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 4.03pm
Edwin Poots left the meeting at 4.03pm
Edwin Poots rejoined the meeting at 4.20pm
George Savage left the meeting at 4.24pm
Officials left the meeting at 4.32pm
8. Pre-consultation – Disease of Animals (Importation of Machinery and Vehicles) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
9. SR – The Control of Salmonella in Broiler Flocks Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2009
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Control of Salmonella in Broiler Flocks Scheme Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the Rule.
10. SR – The Less Favoured Areas (Compensatory Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Less Favoured Areas (Compensatory Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the Rule.
Tom Elliott declared an interest
11. Future Presentations
The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.
12. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 23 June 2009 at 1.30pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.34pm.