COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 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 Ashleigh Mitford (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Dr Jessica Golden-Alexander (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: none

1.30pm The meeting commenced in closed session

1. Legal advice on Dogs (Amendment) Bill and Welfare of Animals Bill

The Committee considered advice from the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to make recommendations to the Department during oral evidence sessions.

1.34pm The meeting moved into open session
1.35pm Mr Bradley joined the meeting
1.36pm Mr Elliot joined the meeting

2. Apologies

No apologies were received

The Chairperson advised the Members that Dr William McCrea MP and Mr Jim Shannon MP have resigned their positions as Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Committee conveyed the thanks of the Members to both for their work and commitment to the Committee

The Chairperson also welcomed Mrs Ashleigh Mitford to the Committee, replacing Ms Shauna Mageean who has been temporarily promoted. The Chairperson welcomed Mrs Jessica Golden-Alexander who has replaced Mr Michael McCoy.

3. Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 29 June 2010.

4. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 29 June 2010.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 29 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 the Department regarding the AFBI Report on the Belfast Lough Cockle Fishery and agreed that it would invite the Department to a future meeting to discuss the matter further.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the spreading of slurry and penalties applied to the Single Farm Payment. The Committee agreed to engage further with the Department on this matter.

Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding Brucellosis breakdowns and agreed to seek further information.

5. Presentation: DARD – Strategic Budgeting Issues

The following departmental officials joined the meeting:

John Smith - Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary
Tim Weir – DP – Deputy Principal

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

2.25 Mr Doherty joined the meeting
2.32 Mr Elliot joined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further information from the Department on a number of issues.

Tim Weir left the meeting

6. Presentation: DARD – September Monitoring Round

The following departmental official joined the meeting:

Linda Lowe –DP – Deputy Principal

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

2.56 Mr Clarke left the meeting
2.59 Mr Doherty left the meeting

The officials left the meeting

7. Presentation: DARD – Consultation on the Equality Impact Assessment of the Farm Modernisation Programme

The following departmental officials joined the meeting:

Robin Shaw - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Richard Leeman - DP - Deputy Principal

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

Mr Irwin declared an interest

Agreed: The Committee requested that it be copied in to all responses sent to consultees.

The officials left the meeting

8. Presentation: DARD – Equality Impact Assessment of Agri-Environment and Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Schemes

The following departmental officials joined the meeting:

Brian Ervine – Grade 7 – Principal Officer
Paul Robinson – DP – Deputy Principal
David Garret – SO – Staff Officer

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Members noted the presentation.

9. SL1 : Plant Health (Amendment No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010

3.29pm Mr Irwin left the meeting

Agreed: Members agreed that the Plant Health (Amendment No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

3.30pmMr Irwin re-joined the meeting

10. SL1: Foyle Area (Angling Permits) Regulations

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer its decision until further information regarding the consultation has been received.

11. Welfare of Animals Bill – motion for extension of Committee Stage

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson place a motion with the Assembly to extend the Committee Stage of the Welfare of Animals Bill to 13 th December 2010

12. Legislative Programme – Oral Evidence Sessions and Administrative Arrangements

The Clerk briefed the Committee .

Agreed: The Committee agreed the timetabling of work in relation to on-going business and to the legislative programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a list of witnesses to give oral evidence in respect of the Welfare of Animals Bill and the Dogs (Amendment) Bill.

13. AOB

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should explore potential arrangements for upcoming committee visits.

14. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 1.30pm Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

3.44pm The meeting was adjourned

Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

29 June 10 / Menu