MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2000
HELD IN ROOM 144 AND THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
2. DARD Business Strategy
3. Milk Quotas
4. Committee Inquiries: Circumstances faced by Pig and Beef Farmers
5. Appointment of Specialist Advisor
6. Matters to be Considered
7. Date of Next Meeting
Present: Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP MLA (Chairman)
Mr B Armstrong MLA
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Mr J Dallat MLA
Mr B Douglas MLA
Mr D Ford MLA
Mr G Kane MLA
Mr G McHugh MLA
Mr I Paisley Jnr. MLA
Apologies: Mr G Savage MLA (Deputy Chairman)
Mr F Molloy MLA
In attendance: Mr M Wilson
Mr P Moore
Mr S Cowan
The Chairman brought the meeting to order in Room 144 at 8.40am.
1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
Resolved: That the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 27 June 2000 were agreed.
Mr Dallat and Mr Bradley joined the meeting at 8.45am.
Mr Douglas joined the meeting at 8.50am.
Top2. DARD Business Strategy
The Chairman welcomed Mr Jordan, Mr Lavery and Mr Ditchfield, Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Officials gave a presentation on the Department's Business Strategy document which was followed by a question and answer session with the Members.
Top3. Milk Quotas: Allocation of Additional Milk Quotas in Northern Ireland
Messrs. Armstrong, Douglas and McHugh declared an interest in the subject as potential beneficiaries of the re-allocation. They removed themselves from the meeting at 9.15am and took no part in the Committee's decision.
The Committee deliberated.
Motion - Allocation of Additional Milk Quota
Proposed: That this Committee considers that the Department should allocate the additional milk quota only to active producers (i.e. those using 70% or more of their quota). Allocation should be on a flat-line basis (i.e. total quantity of litres divided by the number of eligible producers). Problems or appeals to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the Tribunal.
[Mr D Ford]
Amendment
Proposed: Insert the words "who are full-time farmers within Less Favoured Areas (LFAs)" at the end of the first sentence.
[Mr PJ Bradley]
After deliberation, the Amendment being put, the Amendment fell (Division 1).
The question being put, the motion fell (Division 2).
The Committee deliberated. Resolved: that both the original motion and amended motions be incorporated into a Committee reply to the Department.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting until 9.35am.
The Chairman reconvened the meeting in the Senate Chamber at 9.35am.
Mr Kane joined the meeting at 9.35am.
The Chairman opened the meeting to the public at 9.45am.
4. Committee Inquiries: Circumstances faced by Pig and Beef Farmers
Mr Nigel McLaughlin (Vice Chairman) and Mr Jim Carmichael (Development Officer), Northern Ireland Agricultural producers' Association, called in and examined.
Mr John Dallat left at 10.05am.
Mr David Ford left at 10.10am.
Mr Douglas Rowe (President), Mr Charlie Pogue (Chairman Pigs Committee) and Mr Kenneth Sharkey (Chairman Cattle and Sheep Committee),Ulster Farmers' Union, called in and examined.
Mr David Ford re-joined the meeting at 11.25am.
Mr Harry Marquess (Chairman), Mr Tom O'Brien (Vice Chairman), Mr Arthur McKevitt (Secretary) and Mr Henry Gordon (Council Member), National Beef Association, called in and examined.
Mr McHugh, Mr Ford and Mr Bradley left the meeting at 12.05pm.
Mr Ford re-joined the meeting at 12.15pm.
Mr Bradley re-joined the meeting at 12.20pm.
Mr Douglas left the meeting at 12.35pm.
Mr Robert Overend MBE (Chairman), Ms Lynn Martin (Secretary), Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, called in and examined.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 1.10pm.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed to the public at 1.20pm.
Top5. Appointment of Specialist Adviser
The Committee held discussions with Mr Gil Warnock regarding his possible appointment as Specialist Adviser in relation to the reports on: The particular circumstances faced by Pig and Beef Farmers. Mr Warnock was asked to leave the Chamber. The Committee deliberated.
Resolved: That the Committee should appoint Mr Warnock to provide specialist advice for the above reports.
Top6. Matters to be considered
Resolved: That the Committee would consider these matters at its next meeting.
Top7. Date of Next Meeting
Resolved: That the next meeting should be held at 4.00pm on Monday 3 July 2000 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
Ian R K Paisley MP MEP MLA
Chairman
Friday 30 June 2000 - Divisions
Division No. 1
Amendment:
Proposed: Insert the words "who are full-time farmers within Less Favoured Areas (LFAs)" at the end of the first sentence.
[Mr PJ Bradley]
The question was put and the Committee divided.
Ayes: 2
Noes: 2
Ayes: PJ Bradley, John Dallat
Noes: David Ford, Ian Paisley Jnr.
The amendment therefore falls.
Division No. 2
Proposed: That this Committee considers that the Department should allocate the additional milk quota only to active producers (i.e. those using 70% or more of their quota). Allocation should be on a flat-line basis (i.e. total quantity of litres divided by the number of eligible producers). Problems or appeals to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the Tribunal.
[Mr D Ford]
The question was put and the Committee divided.
Ayes: 2
Noes: 2
Ayes: David Ford, Ian Paisley Jnr.
Noes: PJ Bradley, John Dallat
The motion therefore falls.
Ian R K Paisley MP MEP MLA
Chairman