COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 29 JUNE 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
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

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)

Apologies:
Dr William McCrea MP MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MP MLA

10.40am The meeting commenced in public session
10.40am Mr Elliott, deputy Chairperson, took the Chair

The Committee welcomed Mr Stephen Moutray as the new Chairperson and expressed thanks to Mr Ian Paisley Jnr. for his work as the previous Chairperson of the Committee.

1. Apologies

As above

2. Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 22 June 2010.

3. Matters arising

(a) Declaration of Interest

The Committee noted the declaration of interest submitted by Mr Stephen Moutray MLA.

(b) Correspondence issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 22 June 2010.

(c) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 22 June 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 Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas (SOAR) in relation to Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme and agreed to invite representatives from the Joint Committees and Local Action Groups to make a joint presentation to the Committee at a date to be scheduled by the Clerk.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Regional Development to Northern Ireland Water in relation to management of habitats in the Mournes. Members noted a proposal from Mr Clarke to forward this correspondence to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and agreed to forward the correspondence to the Minister for her comments.

4. Presentation: Ulster Farmers’ Union & Northern Ireland Meat Exporters’ Association – Video Imaging Analysis (Automated Meat Grading)

10.48am The following representatives joined the meeting:

David Thompson - Policy Officer, UFU
Ray Elkin - Policy Chairman, UFU
John Thompson – President, UFU
Campbell Tweedie – President, NIMEA
Phelim O'Neill – Chief Executive, NIMEA.

The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

11.08am Mr Irwin left the meeting

Mr Elliott declared an interest

Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from Mr Elliott to visit Foyle Meats to view the automated grading process and agreed to the visit at a date to be scheduled by the Clerk.

11.22am The representatives left the meeting

11.23am The meeting was suspended

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2.06pm The meeting resumed in closed session

2.06pm Mr Moutray, Chairperson, took the Chair

5. SL1: Beef and Pig Carcase Classification Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

Agreed: Members agreed that SL1: Beef and Pig Carcase Classification Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

2.08pm Mr Molloy left the meeting

7. Presentation: DARD – Issues regarding funding for wind turbine at An Creagán

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider agenda item 7 as the next item.

2.09pm Mr Molloy rejoined the meeting
2.09pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:

Vincent McKevitt - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
John Waddell - DP - Deputy Principal

Mr Moutray declared an interest

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

2.10pm Mr Bradley entered the meeting
2.33pm The officials left the meeting
2.34pm The meeting opened in public session

6. Presentation: DARD – Fisheries Forum

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider agenda item 6 as the next item.

2.34pm The following departmental official joined the meeting:

Ian Humes - Grade 7 - Principal Officer

The official presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

2.41pm Mr Molloy left the meting
2.54pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting
2.55pm Mr Irwin left the meeting
3.02pm Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue a response to the Department and agreed to forward any comments to the Clerk for inclusion in the Committee response.

3.14pm The official left the meeting

8. Presentation: DARD – Successor Arrangements for the New Entrants Scheme

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider agenda item 8 as the next item.

3.15pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:

Norman Fulton - Grade 5 - Chief Agricultural Economist
Rosemary Agnew - Grade 7 - Principal Officer.

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

3.31pm Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting

Mr Savage declared an interest

3.42pm The officials left the meeting

9. Presentation: InterTrade Ireland – Northern Ireland products in the Republic of Ireland market

3.43pm The following representatives joined the meeting:

Liam Nellis – Chief Executive
Aidan Gough – Strategy and Policy Director

The representatives presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

4.01pm Mr Elliott left the meeting
4.10pm Mr Irwin left the meeting
4.10pm The representatives left the meeting

10. Pre- consultation – Customer Channel Management Strategy

Agreed: The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken

11. SL1: The Plant Health (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010

Agreed: Members agreed that the Plant Health (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

12. SR 2010/197 – Plant Health (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010

Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has

considered the Plant Health (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.

13. SR 2010/198 - Marketing of Fresh Horticulture Produce Regulations 2010

Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Marketing of Fresh Horticulture Produce Regulations 2010 and has no objection to the rule.

14. SR 2010/199 - Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations 2010