COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 22 JUNE 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MP MLA
In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mrs Shauna Mageean (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)
Mr Andrew McFadden (Co-Chairperson, Youth Panel)
Apologies:
none
10.43am The meeting commenced in public session
10.43am Mr Elliott, deputy Chairperson, took the Chair
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 15 June 2010 subject to one amendment.
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 15 June 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 15 June 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to legal proceedings regarding An Creag á n and agreed that the presentation from the Department in relation to funding for An Creag á n be considered in closed session at the meeting of 29 June 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel detailing the timetable for budget scrutiny in 2010 and agreed that a presentation from the Department on the September Monitoring Round should be scheduled for the Committee meeting of 7 September 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Irish Farmers’ Journal in relation to a survey of farmers at Balmoral Show, considered a draft response and agreed that this response be forwarded to the Irish Farmers’ Journal for publication.
4. Presentation: DARD – Welfare of Animals Bill
10.50am The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Colette McMaster, Director, Animal Health and Welfare Policy
Kate Davey, Principal Officer.
Andrew Kell, Deputy Principal
Paddy McGuckian - Grade 7 - Divisional Veterinary Officer
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
11.40am Mr Irwin left the meeting
11.41am Mr Clarke left the meeting
11.50am Mr Doherty left the meeting
11.50am Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting
11.53am Mr Shannon entered the meeting
11.57am Mr Clarke rejoined the meeting
11.58am The officials left the meeting
5. Presentation: DARD – Business Case on Forkhill Project
12.01pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Mr Vincent McKevitt - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Mr John Waddell - DP - Deputy Principal
Marie Doyle - Deloitte
Jackie Henry - Deloitte
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
12.08pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
12.09pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
12.12pm Mr Doherty rejoined the meeting
12.25pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting
12.33pm The officials left the meeting
12.33pm The meeting was suspended
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1.41pm The meeting resumed in public session
6. Presentation: Northern Ireland Environment Agency – ASSI designation and Nitrates Directive
1.42pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
Dave Foster - Head of Water Management;
Richard Gray - Water Management Unit
Diane Stevenson - Assistant Director, Conservation, Designations and Protection
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
1.45pm Mr Shannon left the meting
1.46pm Mr Shannon rejoined the meeting
2.04pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
2.07pm Mr Clarke rejoined the meeting
Mr Bradley declared an interest
2.30pm The representatives left the meeting
7. Presentation: Ulster Farmers’ Union – Agricultural Insurance
2.31pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
Harry Sinclair - Deputy President, UFU
Wesley Aston - Policy Director, UFU
Patricia Erwin – Policy Officer, UFU
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.45pm The representatives left the meeting
2.46pm Mr Bradley and Mr Irwin left the meeting
2.46pm The meeting was inquorate
8. Presentation: Alternative A5 Alliance – A5 Dualling
2.47pm The following representatives joined the meeting:
John Dunbar – Chairperson
James Stinson
Malcolm Lake
Robin Bruce
Hamilton Hassard
The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.47pm Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting
2.47pm The meeting was in quorum
Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from Mr Savage to visit the area of the proposed A5 route and agreed that the Clerk should arrange this visit.
3.30pm The representatives left the meeting
9. Presentation: DARD – Cockle Fishery, Belfast Lough
3.31pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Mr Ian Humes - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Mr Paddy Campbell - DP - Deputy Principal
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
3.33pm Mr Irwin left the meeting
3.33pm The meeting was inquorate
3.34pm Mr Bradley rejoined the meeting
3.34pm The meeting was in quorum
3.41pm Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting
3.55pm The officials left the meeting
10. Presentation: DARD – SL1 - The Foyle Area (Licensing of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
3.57pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Mr Paul Moore - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Mr Barry Fox - Director of Aquaculture, Loughs Agency
Mr Stanley Thorpe - Legislation Manager, Loughs Agency
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed: Members agreed that SL1: Foyle Area (Licensing of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.
4.03pm The officials left the meeting
11. Draft Children and Young People’s Action Plan
The Committee noted the draft Action Plan submitted by the Department.
12. SL1: African Horse Sickness Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: Members agreed that African Horse Sickness Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.
13. SL1: Zoonoses and Animal By-Products (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
4.04pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
Ms Jackie Robinson
Ms Colette Black
Mr Thomas Craig
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Agreed: Members agreed that SL1: Zoonoses and Animal By-Products (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.
4.18pm The officials left the meeting
14. Welfare of Animals Bill – public notice for consultation
Agreed: The Committee agreed the public notice for consultation on the Welfare of Animals Bill to be placed when the Bill reaches Committee stage.
15. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 29 June 2010 at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
4.19pm The meeting was adjourned