COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

WELFARE OF ANIMALS BILL EVIDENCE SESSION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

TUESDAY 02 NOVEMBER 2010,
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Roy Beggs MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson 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 Clerk)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)

The meeting commenced at 1:33 PM in Public Session

1. Apologies

As above

2. Minutes

Agreed : The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 19 October 2010

3. Matters Arising

The Committee noted correspondence issued since the meeting of 19 October 2010

The Committee noted correspondence received since the meeting of 19 October 2010

4. DARD : Clause by Clause Scrutiny of the proposed Welfare of Animals Bill

The following Departmental Officials joined the meeting

Colette McMaster - Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy Division

Kate Davey -  Head of Welfare of Animals Bill Team

Paddy McGuckian - Divisional Veterinary Officer

Andrew Kell -  Welfare of Animals Bill Team

Clause 1 – Animals to which this Act applies

The Chairperson stated that the Department has agreed to amend this clause to make it subject to the affirmative resolution process.

Revised text is awaited.

Clause 5- Prohibited procedures

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would defer further consideration of clause 5 until the issue on tail docking has been resolved.

Clause 6 – Docking of dogs’ tails

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would defer further consideration of Clause 6 until the Minister has provided a response to the Committee’s request that the clause be either removed or amended.

Clause 12 - Licensing or registration of activities involving animals

The following members declared an interest:

Mr Beggs, Mr Irwin; Mr Molloy; Mr McCarthy

The Clerk advised that a response to the Committee’s request for legal advice is awaited.

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would defer further consideration of Clause 12 to allow for further deliberation in respect of breeding establishments

1.45 pm Mr. T Clarke, Mr W Clarke and Mr. Savage joined the meeting

1.55 pm Mr Irwin left the meeting

Clause 16 - Codes of practice

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

The Department confirmed that it will continue to commit to submitting codes of practice to the Committee in advance of publishing them.

Clause 17 – Powers in relation to animals in distress

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Department would provide further information to the Committee.

Clause 18 - Powers of entry for section 17 purposes

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Mr Beggs declared an interest

2.20pm Mr Irwin re-joined the meeting

Agreed: The Committee reached consensus that it was content with the clause at this stage.

2.36pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting

Clause 22 - Entry and search under warrant in connection with offences

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it will defer its consideration of clause 22 until the issue of tail docking is resolved.

Clause 29 - Power of councils to prosecute offences

The Committee had previously agreed that this clause should not be empowered until such times that the Department has consulted and agreed on the scope of the powers with Councils.

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this clause..

Clause 32: Deprivation

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it required no further information to assist in its consideration of this clause.

Clause 45: Inspectors

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

3.00 pm Mr McCarthy re-joined the meeting

3.00pm Mr Irwin left the meeting

Clause 46: Conditions for grant of warrant

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

The Department confirmed that it will consult with the Committee on any future codes of practice in advance of them being published.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with this clause at this stage

Clause 47: Powers of entry, inspection and search: supplementary

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with this clause at this stage

Clause 55: Regulations

The Chairperson confirmed that the Department has previously agreed that this clause will be amended to reflect the change from negative to affirmative resolution process.

Schedule 1

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of schedule 1 until consideration of clause 6 is completed

Schedule 2

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would defer consideration of schedule 2 until outstanding queries around legal competence are resolved.

5. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting in relation to the Welfare of Animals Bill will be on Tuesday, 9 November in Room 30 at 1:30pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:06pm

Mr Roy Beggs
Deputy Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

02 November Dogs (Amendment) Bill / Menu