COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr William Irwin 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:
Dr William McCrea MP MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. MLA
1.40pm The meeting commenced in public session
1.40pm The Deputy Chairperson, Mr Elliott, took the Chair.
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 9 March 2010
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 9 March 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 9 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 from the Committee for Finance and Personnel in relation to support for carers and agreed to forward the correspondence to DARD for their response before the Committee meeting of 23 March 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the eligible items for Tranche 2 of the Farm Modernisation Programme and agreed that Members should forward their comments to the Clerk to the Committee as soon as possible.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to seed potatoes exported to Morocco and agreed to write to the Minister for more information on how it is intended to ensure that this export trade route remains available for local farmers.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society in relation to a visit on 13 April 2010 from the Northern Ireland Group of Fellows and Associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies. The Committee agreed that he Committee Support Office should progress arrangements for this visit.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received in relation to the relicensing of a farm weed killer and agreed to write to the Department for clarification.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from the Minister for the Environment in relation to slurry spreading and the role of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development to establish the level and nature of communications between the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
1.42pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
1.42pm The meeting was inquorate
1.44pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
1.44pm The meeting was in quorum
4. Presentation: DARD – Update on the Animal Welfare Bill
1.50pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Colette McMaster - Grade 5, Assistant Secretary
Kate Davey - Grade 7, Principal Officer
Paddy McGuckian - Grade 7, Divisional Veterinary Officer
Andrew Kell - DP, Deputy Principal
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.10pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
2.11pm Mr Burns entered the meeting
2.14pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
2.27pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
Mr Elliott declared an interest
2.45pm The officials left the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed agenda item 7 should be considered next
5. Pre-consultation: Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Prescribed Species) Regulations 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken
Agreed: The Committee agreed agenda item 8 should be considered next
6. Pre-consultation: Olive Oil Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken
Agreed: The Committee agreed agenda item 9 should be considered next
7. SL1: Eggs and Chicks Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the above mentioned legislation should proceed to the next stage.
Agreed: The Committee agreed agenda item 10 should be considered next
8. SR: T he Horse Racing (Charges on Bookmakers) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the T he Horse Racing (Charges on Bookmakers) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and, subject to the Report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly.
Agreed: The Committee agreed agenda item 11 should be considered next
9. SR: The Scrapie (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Scrapie (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ report, has no objection to the rule.
Agreed: The Committee agreed agenda item 5 should be considered next
10. Presentation: DARD - Foyle Area (Control of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2009
2.50pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Paul Moore - Grade 7, Principal Officer
Barry Fox - Director of Aquaculture, Loughs Agency
Ciaran McGonigle - Marine Research Officer, Loughs Agency
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.56pm Mr Clarke left the meeting
2.56pm The meeting was inquorate
3.00pm The officials left the meeting
The Committee noted that agenda item 6 – Presentation – DARD: SL1: Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling Permit) Regulations 2010 has been deferred.
11. AOB
Mr Savage raised a query about which body is responsible for the removal of dead foxes or badgers from roads
12. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting at 12.30pm on Tuesday 23 March 2010 in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
3.01pm The meeting was adjourned
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr.
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development