COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (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 Francie Molloy MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy 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:

1.33pm The meeting commenced in Public Session

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above

2. Minutes of 09 November 2010

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 09 November 2010

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 09 November 2010.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 09 November 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it will request a meeting with the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in order to discuss the December council proposals. The Committee noted correspondence from ANIFPO.
Agreed: The Committee will visit Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie in order to meet with the industry and ANIFPO.
Agreed: The Committee will forward the correspondence received from ANIFPO to the Department for a response.
1.37pm Mr Bradley joined the meeting
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the Hunting Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it will return to the issue following the second stage of the Bill.
Agreed: The Chairs and the Clerks of the Committee for the Environment and the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development should meet to discuss the Bill in the interim.

4. Presentation : DARD- Better Regulation Action Plan

The following officials joined the meeting:
Michelle Bell – Acting Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary
Philip Gilmore - DP - Deputy Principal
John McConnell - Acting Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Colin Hart - Grade 5 - Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above.

1.43pm Mr Irwin joined the meeting

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

During questions the following members declared an interest:

Mr Beggs; Mr Savage; Mr Gibson; Mr Molloy; Mr Irwin

1.58pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting.

The officials left the meeting

5. Presentation : DARD- December Fisheries Council

The following officials joined the meeting:
Ian Humes (Grade 7, Principal Officer)
Paddy Campbell (DP, Deputy Principal)

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above.

2.24pm Mr T Clarke joined the meeting

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

The officials left the meeting

6. Presentation : DARD- Nitrates Action Programme Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

The following officials joined the meeting:
Brian Ervine - Grade 7 - Principal Officer 

The official presented to Committee in respect of the above.

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

Mr Beggs declared an interest in relation to agricultural land ownership and family farming.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Nitrates Action Programme Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

The official left the meeting

7. Presentation : DARD – Equine Council NI

The following officials joined the meeting:
Peter Toner - Grade 7 - Principal Officer
Seamus Hughes - DP - Deputy Principal

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above.

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

3.35pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting
3.44pm Mr Molloy left the meeting
3.44pm Mr Gibson left the meeting

The officials left the meeting

8. Presentation: DARD- SL1 Plant Health (Import Inspection

Fees) Regulations (NI) 2010

The following officials joined the meeting:
Renee McDowell -DP - Deputy Principal
John Finlay - DP - Agriculture Inspector Grade II

The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) Regulations (NI) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

The officials left the meeting

9. Presentation: DARD SL1-LFA Compensatory Allowances

Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

The following official joined the meeting:
Valerie Bell -Grade 7 - Principal Officer

The official presented to Committee in respect of the above.

Mr Beggs declared an interest in relation to agricultural land ownership and family farming.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Compensatory Allowances

Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

The official left the meeting

10. SL1 - The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Amendment)

Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010

The Clerk briefed the Committee

Agreed: Members agreed that The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010 should progress to the next legislative stage.

3.32pm Mr Gibson re-joined the meeting

11. SR - Seed Potato Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010

Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has

considered the Seed Potato Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.

12. Date of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 30 November 2010 at 10.30am in Room 30

The meeting was adjourned at 3.52pm

Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Date

23 November / Menu