COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2009
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Tom Elliott (Deputy Chairperson)
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
William Irwin
George Savage
Willie Clarke
Francie Molloy
In attendance:
Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Shauna Mageean (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Frank Geddis (Clerical Supervisor)
Paul Stitt (Clerical Supervisor)
Kathy Gunduza (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Dr William McCrea (Chairperson)
Pat Doherty
Patsy McGlone
The meeting commenced at 1.35pm in Open Session
The Committee noted that Mr Ian Paisley Jnr had been appointed as Chair to the Committee with effect from 5 July 2009. Members recorded their thanks and appreciation to Dr William McCrea in his capacity as Chair of the Committee.
The Committee noted that Mr Patsy McGlone would be replacing Mr PJ Bradley on the Committee. Members recorded their thanks to PJ Bradley for his work to the Committee.
The Committee welcomed Paul Stitt to the Committee and recorded their thanks to Kathy Gunduza and Frank Geddis for their work to the Committee and wished them well for the future.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Minutes
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 23 June 2009.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 23 June 2009.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 23 June 2009.
(c) Additional Matters arising
Members requested that representatives from the banking industry make a presentation to the Committee to discuss concerns regarding dealings with the farming industry.
A declaration of interest from incoming Committee Member Patsy McGlone was noted by the Committee.
The Committee agreed to a request from the Committee for Regional Development that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson meet to discuss the flooding event of 16 August 2008.
William Irwin left the meeting at 1.42pm
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 1.47pm
4. Presentation – DARD – Review of Support Arrangements for Less Favoured Areas
Norman Fulton and Rosemary Agnew, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 1.49pm and made a presentation regarding the Review of Support Arrangements for Less Favoured Areas. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
The officials left the meeting at 2.06pm
5. Presentation – DARD – Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 2
Roy McClenaghan, Pauline Keegan and Robin Shaw, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 2.07pm and presented to Committee in respect of the Farm Modernisation Programme Tranche 2. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 1.45pm
George Savage declared an interest
The officials left the meeting at 2.45pm
6. Presentation – DARD – Fisheries Forum
Paddy Campbell, departmental official, joined the meeting at 2.45pm and presented to the Committee in respect of the Fisheries Forum. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
George Savage left the meeting at 2.47pm
Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 2.49pm
William Irwin left the meeting at 2.56pm
The official left the meeting at 3.00pm
7. Presentation – DARD – Pre-consultation – Policy Proposals for Dog Control Legislation
Colette Connor, departmental official, joined the meeting at 3.01pm and presented to the Committee in respect of the Policy Proposals for Dog Control Legislation. Following the presentation, Members put questions. The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 3.02pm
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 3.24pm
The official left the meeting at 3.24pm
8. Presentation – DARD – Pre-consultation – Policy Proposals for Implementation of Council Regulation 21/2004 on the Electronic Identification of Sheep
Colette Connor, David Torrens, John McConnell and Ciaran Hamill, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 3.25pm and presented to the Committee in respect of Policy Proposals on the Electronic Identification of Sheep. The Committee agreed to the Department’s request for an eight week consultation period. The Committee also agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 3.36pm
Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 3.50pm
The officials left the meeting at 3.50pm
9. Pre-consultation – The Eggs and Chicks Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
10. Pre-consultation – The Code of Practice for Forest Carbon Projects
The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.
11. SR – The Products of Animal Origin (Disease Controls) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Products of Animal Origin (Disease Controls) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the Rule.
12. AOB
The Committee noted the launch of the Forest Recreational Strategy on 1 st July 2009 at Tollymore Forest Park.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 September 2009 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.52pm