COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 13 MAY 2010
NORTHERN IRELAND ASSEMBLY MARQUEE, BALMORAL SHOW
Present:
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr George Savage 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)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Dr William McCrea MP MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MP MLA
10.35pm The meeting commenced in public sessio
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 27 April 2010
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 27 April 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 27 April 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Häusler, Head of Cabinet of Dacian Ciolo ș , EU Commissionner for Agriculture and Rural Development inviting the Committee to meet in Brussels on 9 June 2010. Members agreed to contact the Committee Office if they wish to attend this meeting
Agreed: The Committee noted a request from Mr Bradley to meet with Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and agreed that the Committee Office should arrange a meeting.
4. Presentation: Ulster Farmers’ Union & Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers’ Association – Reaction to Ministerial Speech
10.44am The following representatives joined the meeting:
Sean Fitzpatrick – Council Member, NIAPA
John Thompson – President, UFU
Clarke Black – Chief Executive, UFU
Wesley Aston – Director of Policy, UFU
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.25am The representatives left the meeting
5. Presentation: A6 & A8 Dualling Group – Routing Plans
11.26am The following representatives joined the meeting:
Gary Galway
James Mills
Lorraine Robinson
Sandra Ross
Hilda Stewart
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions
Agreed: The Committee noted a request from Mr Elliott to invite those affected by the route of the A5 to present to the Committee and agreed that the Committee Office should schedule a presentation for a future meeting.
Mr Molloy declared an interest
12.08pm The representatives left the meeting
6. Presentation – DARD - SL1: The Animals (Specified Disease) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and the Animals (Insect Transmissible Diseases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
12.10pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Jackie Robinson – Grade 7 – Principal Officer
Christine Henderson – SO – Staff Officer
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.10pm Mr Doherty left the meeting
Agreed: Members agreed that SL1: The Animals (Specified Disease) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and the Animals (Insect Transmissible Diseases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.
12.18pm The officials left the meeting
7. Presentation – DARD – New Entrants Scheme
12.19pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Rosemary Agnew – Grade 7 – Principal Officer
Willie McLauchlan – Grade 7 – Agricultural Inspector Grade I
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.22pm Mr Doherty rejoined the meeting
Agreed: Members agreed to seek clarification from the Department on what would happen should an applicant who has changed bank move back to their original bank.
12.27pm The officials left the meeting
8.
SR 2010/162 – Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusion) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusion) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
9. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 18 May 2010 at 1.30pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
12.29pm The meeting was adjourned