COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2010, AFTERNOON SESSION
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Francie Molloy 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:
Mr George Savage MLA
Mr Tom Elliott MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

The meeting commenced at 1 34 PM in Public Session

1. Apologies

As above

2. Matters Arising

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would make recommendations on the representation of councils at oral evidence sessions

3. Presentation – BASC – Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill

The following representatives joined the meeting

Tommy Mayne (Country Officer)
Tom Blades (Head of Gamekeeping)
Tony Patterson (BVM+S, MRCVS and CertSHP)
Jim Shannon

1.36pm Mr Doherty joined the meeting
1.37pm Mr Bradley joined the meeting

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

During questions

1.50pm Mr T Clarke joined the meeting

1.58pm Mr Bradley left the meeting
2.00pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting

4. Presentation –DARD– Oral evidence in relation to the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill

The following departmental officials joined the meeting

Colette McMaster -Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary (Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy Division)
Kate Davey - Grade 7 - Principal Officer (Head of Welfare of Animals Bill Team)
Paddy McGuckian - Grade 7, Divisional Veterinary Officer (Enzootic Disease & Animal Welfare Division, Veterinary Service)
Andrew Kell - DP - Deputy Principal (Welfare of Animals Bill Team).

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

2.26pm Mr Irwin left the meeting

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Department on a number of issues

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Department should present again at next week’s meeting with evidence supporting a complete ban on tail docking

2.45pm Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting
2.55pm Mr Bradley rejoined the meeting

5. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will take place at 1.30pm in room 29 on 23rd September 2010 and the next evidence session will take place in room 30 on 28th September 2010

The meeting was adjourned at 2.56pm

Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

21 September 10 (am) / Menu