COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. (Chairperson)
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Francie Molloy 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
12.41pmThe meeting commenced in public session
12.41pm The Deputy Chairperson, Mr Elliott, took the Chair.
The Committee expressed their thanks to outgoing Member Mr Patsy McGlone for his contribution. The Committee welcomed new Member Mr PJ Bradley to the Committee and noted his register of interests.
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 2 March 2010
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 2 March 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 2 March 2010.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from other Committees directly to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for its response.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from Green Glens Marketing Group in relation to ASSI designations and agreed to forward to the Department for their response and also to write to the Committee for the Environment requesting that the correspondence be forwarded to the Department of the Environment for a response.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for the Environment seeking to extend an invitation to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to attend the Committee
Agreed: The Committee agreed that following a request from the Department Permanent Secretary for a meeting, the Committee Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson should attend.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force in relation to the Marine Bill and agreed to forward to the Department seeking clarification on its input to the Bill.
12.46pm Mr Molloy entered the meeting
4. Presentation: DARD – SL1: Control of Salmonella in Turkey Flocks Scheme Order (NI) 2010
12.47pmThe following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Jackie Robinson - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Paddy McGuckian - Grade 7 - Divisional Veterinary Officer
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that all of the above mentioned legislation should proceed to the next stage.
12.55pm The officials left the meeting
5. SL1: The Organic Farming (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the above mentioned legislation should proceed to the next stage.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department requesting a presentation on organic farming.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to invite a representative from the organic farming sector to make a presentation to Committee on challenges within the sector.
6. SR: Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Regulations
( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and, subject to the Report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, has no objection to the rule.
Mr Elliott declared an interest
12.59m The meeting was suspended
1.09pm The meeting reopened in public session
1.09pm The Chairperson, Mr Paisley Jnr., took the Chair.
7. Presentation: DARD – SL1: Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
1.09pmThe following departmental official joined the meeting:
Davy Millar – DP - Deputy Principal
The official presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
1.14pm Mr Savage rejoined the meeting
1.14pm Mr Bradley rejoined the meeting
1.17pm Mr Molloy left the meeting
1.19pmMr Elliott rejoined the meeting
1.20pm Mr Burns entered the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer a decision on the above mentioned legislation in order to allow the Department to respond to issues raised by Members following the presentation.
1.21pm The official left the meeting
8. Presentation: NIPSA – Closure of the Supply Chain Delivery Branch
1.21pmThe following representatives joined the meeting:
Noel Griffin – NIPSA Full Time Official
Gerard Higgins – Chairperson NIPSA DARD Department Committee
Philip Renshaw – DARD Trade Union Side Office
Kieran McCartan – Chairperson NIPSA Branch 301
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
1.29pm Mr Doherty left the meeting
Mr Savage declared an interest
1.49pm The representatives left the meeting
9. Presentation: British Veterinary Association – Views on the Animal Welfare Bill
1.49pmThe following representatives joined the meeting:
Brian McAuley MRCVS – President, North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA)
Pat Hart MRCVS – NIVA Council
Des Thompson OBE MRCVS - Treasurer (NIVA)
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Mr Paisley Jnr. declared an interest
Mr Bradley declared an interest
2.00pm Mr Molloy rejoined the meeting
2.14pmMr Irwin left the meeting
2.14pmMr Bradley left the meeting
2.15pmMr Bradley rejoined the meeting
2.17pm Mr Elliott left the meeting
2.35pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
2.38pm The representatives left the meeting
10. AOB
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Food Standards Agency NI to invite them to present to the Committee with an update on procedures regarding feed testing and safety following the dioxin contamination incident of December 2008 .
2.39pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
11. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting at 1.30pm on Tuesday 16 March 2010 in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
2.41pmThe meeting was adjourned