COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

WELFARE OF ANIMALS BILL EVIDENCE SESSION

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 09 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 30 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

Apologies:
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA

The meeting commenced at 1.35pm in Public Session

1. Apologies

As above

2. Minutes

Agreed : The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 02 November 2010

1.36 Mr McCarthy joined the meeting

3. Matters Arising

The Committee noted correspondence issued since the meeting of 02 November 2010

The Committee noted correspondence received since the meeting of 02 November 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 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

The Chairperson briefed the Committee on a meeting that he and the Deputy Chairperson attended with the Minister and referred Members to a tabled letter from the Minister.

The Department briefed the Committee

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

During questions

1.45pm Mr Bradley joined the meeting
1.52pm Mr T Clarke joined the meeting

Agreed: The Department would provide further information on damage to Terriers’ tails in Scotland.

Agreed: The Department would provide further information on principles of future subordinate legislation.

Agreed: The Committee would seek the opinions of the consultees on the proposed amendment.

Mr Bradley declared an interest as an honorary member of BVA Northern Ireland.

Mr Beggs declared an interest as Councillor, Carrickfergus Borough Council

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk would write to the Department on a number of issues including EQIA.

Agreed: The Department agreed to provide a copy of proposed revised text in relation to the amendment along with a framework of items likely to be included in subordinate legislation.

Agreed: The Committee would take further consideration in relation to clause 6.

Clause 12 - Licensing or registration of activities involving animals

The Chairperson referred Members to a letter from the Minister which referred to the Committee’s concerns around the proposed enforcement role of councils.

Mr Moutray as Councillor, Craigavon Borough Council
Mr Beggs as Councillor, Carrickfergus Borough Council
Mr T Clarke as Councillor, Antrim Borough Council.
Mr W Clarke as Councillor, Down District Council.
Mr Irwin as Councillor, Armagh City and District Council.
Mr Malloy as Councillor, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council
Mr McCarthy as Councillor, Ards Borough Council

Agreed: The Committee would invite the Minister to address the Committee on this clause and on clause 6

Clause 17 – Powers in relation to animals in distress

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would defer further consideration on this clause until the Minister is available to address the Committee.

Clause 18 - Powers of entry for section 17 purposes

The Chair stated that the Committee agreed at its last meeting that DARD should forward any new codes to the Committee for consideration in advance of publication.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this clause until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the bill.

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

The Chair stated that the Committee agreed at its last meeting that DARD should forward any new codes to the Committee for consideration in advance of publication.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this clause until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the bill.

Clause 29 - Power of councils to prosecute offences

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would defer further consideration on this clause until the Minister is available to address the Committee.

Clause 45: Inspectors

The Department presented to the Committee

Members put questions on this clause to the Departmental officials.

Agreed: The Department will present proposed guidelines in relation to inspectors to the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this clause until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the bill.

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.

Agreed: The Departmental officials will supply the revised text when available.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this clause until the formal clause by clause scrutiny of the bill.

Schedule 1

The Department advised that Schedule 1 will be removed as a consequence of other agreed amendments.

Agreed: Tabled survey figures should be copied to the Department

5. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting in relation to the Welfare of Animals Bill will be on Tuesday, 16 November in Room 30 at 1:30pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.17pm

Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

09 November 10 Dogs (Amendment) Bill / Menu