COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. (Chairperson)
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Dr William McCrea MP MLA
Mr Patsy McGlone MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
In attendance: Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Shauna Mageean (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Michael McCoy (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: None
1.31pm The meeting commenced at in Open Session
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 2 February 2010
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 2 February 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 2 February 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for the Environment seeking clarification on departmental lines of responsibility in relation to spreading of slurry.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from Mr Kenneth Patterson in relation to the Common Fisheries Policy and agreed to write to Mr Patterson to invite him to make a presentation to the Committee.
4. Presentation – Ulster Farmers’ Union – Issues for 2010
1.05pm The following representatives joined the meeting
Graham Furey – President;
John Thompson - Deputy President;
Harry Sinclair - Deputy President;
Clarke Black - Chief Executive;
Wesley Aston - Director of Policy.
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
The Chairperson put on record his appreciation of the work done by Ulster Farmers’ Union.
1.40pm Mr Burns entered the meeting
1.50pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting
1.55pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
1.57pm Mr Irwin left the meeting
1.58pm Mr McGlone left the meeting
2.00pm Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting
Mr Irwin declared an interest
Mr Shannon declared an interest
2.32pm Mr Doherty left the meeting
2.32pm Mr Burns left the meeting
2.34pm Mr Savage left the meeting
2.37pm Mr Doherty rejoined the meeting
2.46pm Mr Burns rejoined the meeting
2.46pm Mr Savage rejoined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Supermarket Ombudsman to request a meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to request a presentation from officials regarding issues for potato growers affected by bad weather.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to representatives from the potato growing sector to request a presentation regarding issues for potato growers affected by bad weather.
2.48pm The representatives left the meeting
5. Presentation: DARD – Farm Modernisation Scheme
2.50pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting
Pauline Keegan - Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary;
Robin Shaw - Grade 7 - Principal Officer;
Janet Liggett - DP - Deputy Principal.
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.57pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
2.57pm Mr Burns left the meeting
3.03pm Mr Savage left the meeting
Mr Elliott declared an interest
3.09pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
3.23pm Mr Clarke left the meeting
3.25pm The meeting was adjourned
4.53pm The meeting re-opened
4.54pm Mr Savage rejoined the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development seeking clarification on recipients of the Less Favoured Areas payments.
5.06pm The officials left the meeting
5.06pm Mr Doherty left the meeting
6. Presentation – DARD – Lough Neagh Partnership
Agreed: The Committee agreed to postpone this item to a later meeting
7. Pre-consultation: Beef and Pig Carcase Classification
Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken
8. AOB
Agreed: The Committee agreed write to the board of An Creag án to invite them to present to the Committee on issues regarding funding for a wind turbine on their premises.
9. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be a meeting for clause by clause scrutiny of the Forestry Bill at 12.30pm on Monday 15 February 2010 in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
5.08pm The meeting was adjourned