COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Stephen Moutray MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr William Irwin MLA
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Mr Willie Clarke MLA
Mr Simpson Gibson MLA
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr George Savage MLA
Mr Francie Molloy MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
In attendance:
Mr Paul Carlisle (Clerk to the Committee)
Mr Mark O’Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
None
1.30pm The meeting commenced in Public Session.
The Committee welcomed Ms Niamh McCusker and Ms Niamh McDermott who are attending the meeting today as part of their studies into politics.
The Committee also extended a welcome to Mr Mike Clark, Clerk to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster, who attended the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of 8 March 2011
The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 8 March 2011.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson sign off the minutes from the meeting of 15 March 2011 as there will be no meeting thereafter.
1:32pm Mr Doherty joined the meeting
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 8 March 2011.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 8 February 2011.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from other Committees to the Department.
Noted: The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister formally advising of the provision of funding for the UFCU.
Noted: The Committee noted c orrespondence from the Minister re. LMC’s planned redundancy of its classification staff.
Noted: The Committee noted c orrespondence from the Minister to Mr Bryan Gray re. Closure of the EU Agricultural and Forestry Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme (PMG).
4. Presentation NI Shows Association: Future funding of NI Agriculture Shows
The following Officials joined the meeting:
Tommy Collins - Chairman NISA;
Kate Mark - Deputy Chairperson NISA; and
Colin McDonald - Honorary Secretary / Treasurer NISA.
The witnesses presented to Committee in respect of the above.
Following the presentation, Members put questions.
1:34pm Mr T Clarke joined the meeting
1:35pm Mr W Clarke joined the meeting
1:37pm Mr Bradley joined the meeting
1:42pm Mr Beggs joined the meeting
Mr Moutray and Mr W Clarke declared an interest
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarity on the funding of the Agricultural shows in NI and the attendance/presence of the Department at these shows.
The witnesses left the meeting
1:57pm The meeting adjourned
2:36pm The meeting recommenced with the following Members present;
Mr Moutray, Mr Beggs, Mr Gibson, Mr W Clarke and Mr Bradley.
5. Presentation DARD: Customer Channel Strategy
The following Officials joined the meeting:
Paul McGurnaghan, Grade 6 - Senior Principal Officer; and
Michael McLernon, Grade 7 - Principal Officer .
The witnesses presented to Committee in respect of the above.
Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2:41pm Mr Doherty joined the meeting
2.43pm Mr Irwin joined the meeting
2.51pm Mr Molloy joined the meeting
2.55pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting
The witnesses left the meeting
6. Presentation DARD: Progress Report on Disallowance Issues
The following Officials joined the meeting:
Valerie Bell, Grade 7 - Principal Officer; and
Malcolm Beatty, Grade 5 - Assistant Secretary .
The witnesses presented to Committee in respect of the above.
Following the presentation, Members put questions.
Mr McCarthy, Mr Irwin, Mr Gibson and Mr Savage declared an interest
The witnesses left the meeting
7. SL1: Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2011 should progress to the next legislative stage.
8. SL1: Aquatic Animal Health (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Aquatic Animal Health (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011 should progress to the next legislative stage.
9. SR 38.2011 The Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
10. SR 35.2011 The Strangford Lough (Sea Fishing Exclusion Zones) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Strangford Lough (Sea Fishing Exclusion Zones) Regulations (NI) 2011 and recommends that it be confirmed by the Assembly.
11. SR 63.2011 The Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
12. SR 46.2011 Reporting of Prices of Milk Products (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Reporting of Prices of Milk Products (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
13. SR 71.2011 The Zoonoses (Fees) Regulations (NI) 2011
Agreed: The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered Zoonoses (Fees)Regulations (NI) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.
14. End of Session Report
Agreed: The Committee agreed that they would confirm their agreement of the End of session and Legacy report via e-mail to the Committee support office.
15. AOB
The Chair advised Members of an error made during the debate of the Welfare of Animals Bill at consideration stage where he referred to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons rather than the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in NI.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a letter would be sent to the Speaker, RCVS and Members clarifying this mistake.
Agreed: The Committee agreed in offering their thanks to all Members, both past and present, and witnesses from both the industry and Department for the work done within the lifetime of this Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed in extending their gratitude to the Clerk and Committee support team for their work over this last mandate.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.34pm
Mr Stephen Moutray
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development
8 March 11 / Menu |
