MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF
THE COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2001
HELD IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. BSE Test Results
2. Vision Group
3. Results of a Mass screening test for BSE in Casuality Animals
4. Statutory Rule- Pre Drafting Consultation- Countryside Management Regulations.
5. Statutory Rule- Pre Drafting Consultation- Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
6. Statutory Rule- The Dairy Produce Quotas (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
7. Minutes of Proceedings on 2 February 2001
8. Matters Arising
9. Any Other Business
10. Date of Next Meeting
Present:Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP (Chairman)
Mr G Savage (Deputy Chairman)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Dallat
Mr B Douglas
Mr D Ford
Mr G Kane
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Apologies:
In attendance:Mr P Moore
Mrs R Barclay
Miss K Hewitt
The Chairman called the meeting to order in private session at 10.10 am.
1. The Chairman advised the Committee that he had been briefed by the Minister on positive BSE test results and that the Permanent Secretary had asked to brief the committee as emergency business. The Committee agreed to hear the Permanent Secretary in private and then public session.
The chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 10.15 am.
Top2. VISION GROUP
2.1. The Chairman welcomed Mr Peter Small, DARD Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the Vision Group, along with the sub-group Chairmen, Mr Will Taylor, Mr Derek Shaw, Mr Arthur Anderson and Mr David Graham.
2.2. Mr Small made a short presentation to the Committee stating that the objectives of the Vision Group were to promote a successful agriculture sector and thriving rural community and to bring back profitability to all sectors of the industry.
2.3. Mr Small assured members that a number of the recommendations and conclusions in the Committee's two Reports were in line with the views of the Group and would be incorporated into their Report, which is due to be published in early March, and duly acknowledged.
2.4. Mr Small advised that he expected the Minister to begin a full consultation with all sectors, including the Committee, after the Report's publication.
2.5. Each of the sub-group Chairmen provided details of his group's main findings. A question and answer session followed and a number of issues were raised including:
2.5.1 The responsibility of the industry, as well as the Department, to take ownership of the actions recommended by the Group.
2.5.2. The fragmented approach to marketing support structures.
2.5.3. Branding, the need to differentiate products in a free market economy and opportunities for niche products.
Mr Douglas attended the meeting at 11.00 am.
2.5.4. Difficulties caused by retailers sourcing from a global market.
2.5.5. Consumer trends and demographic changes.
2.5.6. Expanding business using E-commerce.
2.5.7. More focused research and development required at all levels.
2.5.8. The implications of CAP reform and the impact of the exchange rate and the need to develop strategies to respond to these.
2.5.9. The need to develop people to improve competitiveness.
2.5.10. The need to develop and sustain new markets.
2.5.11. The potential difficulties caused by EU enlargement.
2.6 The Chairman thanked those present for their attendance and looked forward to further discussions once the report was published. The Chairman drew discussions to a close at 11.20 am and the DARD officials left the meeting.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11.20 am and reconvened at 11.25 am in private session.
Top3. Results of a Mass screening test for BSE in Casualty Animals
3.1 DARD officials, Mr Peter Small, Permanent Secretary, Mr Houston and Mr Johnson were welcomed to the meeting.
3.2 Mr Small made a short statement to the Committee regarding the discovery of 54 positive cases of BSE in casualty animals from a sample of 2500.
3.3 The officials then answered questions by the members and a number of points were raised including:
3.3.1. Cattle which tested positive were between 4 and 14 years old and were not destined for the human food chain.
3.3.2. Only high-risk casualty cattle were tested.
3.3.3. Of the 700 animals under 4 years tested, none tested positive and only one born after August 1996 tested positive.
3.3.4. No comparison is available with other member States, as they are not required to report the results of similar tests until December 2001. There is an expectation that other member States will experience similar results.
3.3.5. The effectiveness of the measures taken to ensure human health is not at risk.
3.3.6. The fact that the Minister would still pursue her attempts to secure lifting of the export ban.
3.5 Resolved: that the remainder of the meeting should be open to the public.
The Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 11.50 am.
3.6 Mr Small read a prepared statement, after which he and his team answered members' questions.
3.7 Resolved: that the committee should issue a Press Release, as drafted and agreed during meeting, which would emphasise the effectiveness of the measures in place to protect the consumer.
3.8 The Chairman brought the discussions to a close at 12.25 pm and the DARD officials left the meeting.
Top4. Statutory Rule - Pre drafting Consultation - Countryside Management Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000
4.1. The Chairman welcomed Mr Liam McKibben, Assistant Secretary, Environment and Food Policy, Mr Ian McKee, Head of Crops and Environmental Policy Division and Dr Carol Millsopp, Senior Countryside Management Adviser, into the meeting at 12.30 pm.
4.2. The officials explained that the Regulation revoked and replaced an earlier Rule made in 1999 and updated EU legislative requirements. A question and answer session followed and a number of issues were raised including:
4.2.1. The possibility of an amendment to Regulation 3(1)(a) to avoid ambiguity in the requirement for a tenant to notify the landowner, as is the case in Regulation 5(2). DARD officials agreed to consider the need for an amendment.
4.2.2. Assuming applications in June, applicants would be advised of the result by the end of the year.
4.2.3. The limit on grants of £1500 on activities, which was in place to ensure the limited budget was given to the maximum number of farmers.
4.2.4. Applications would be ranked by value to the environment and value for money.
4.3. Agreed: that DARD would supply members with copies of the Countryside Management explanatory booklet (one copy was left with the Clerk).
4.4. The officials left the meeting at 12.55 pm.
4.5. The Committee deliberated.
4.6 Resolved: that the Committee was content for the Department to proceed with the making of the proposed Rule subject to the response on the possible amendment.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting for lunch at 1.00 pm and reconvened the meeting in public session at 1.25 pm.
Top5. Statutory Rules - Pre-drafting Consultation
5.1 Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
Resolved: that the Committee was content for the Department to proceed with the making of the proposed Rule.
5.2.Further Amendments to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
Resolved: that the Committee should invite DARD officials to discuss the contents of the Rule.
Mr Paisley Jnr entered the meeting at 1.35 pm.
Top6. Statutory Rule - Consideration - The Dairy Produce Quotas (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
6.1. The Committee deliberated on the amendments recommended to the Minister in the letter of 12 January 2001.
6.2.1. Resolved: that the Committee would raise no objections to the Rule.
Top7. Minutes of Proceedings on 2 February 2001
7.1. Mr Ford asked that the draft minutes should be amended to include a reference to the work done by the Clerk and the Assembly's Researcher and the Committee's appreciation of this work.
7.2. Resolved: that the draft Minutes of Proceedings were agreed subject to this amendment.
Top8. Matters Arising
8.1. The Committee approved a draft letter to the Minister outlining a number of issues which the Committee had raised regarding the Review of the Animal Waste Directive. The letter was signed by the Chairman.
8.2. Members noted the letter to the Specialist Adviser terminating his appointment.
8.3. The Committee approved a draft letter in response to DARD's Review of Forestry policy. The letter was signed by the Chairman.
8.4. The Committee approved a draft letter to the Minister stating the views of the Committee on DARD's draft Public Service Agreement. The letter was signed by the Chairman.
8.5. Members noted a letter of thanks for the visit to Enniskillen College.
8.6. Members noted that the launch of the Committee's Pig Report would be Friday, 16 February at 10.00 am.
8.7. Members approved a draft Press Release to be issued before the launch. (Members were also asked to note the media contact list and to contact the Committee Clerk if they wished to make any additions.)
Messrs Douglas and Dallat left the meeting at 1.45.pm
Top9. Any Other Business
9.1. The Committee noted the letter from DARD regarding discussions due to be held on 16 February and agreed to postpone the meeting. The Clerk was instructed to arrange alternative dates for each of the issues which were due to be raised.
9.2. The Committee agreed a response to the Minister's letter dated 4 February in which she advised of her unavailability (to attend a meeting with members on the 23 February) and offered alternative dates.
9.2.1. Resolved: The Committee was unable to meet the Minister on the two Wednesdays offered, as accommodation is unavailable in the afternoon and 3 members attend other committees on Wednesday mornings.
9.2.2. Resolved: that the Minister should be requested to set aside one Friday per month to meet with the Committee, although her attendance was not likely to be required on each occasion.
9.2.3 Resolved: that the three issues identified for discussion: Fisheries issues, beef quality proposals and rural proofing, were appropriate for Ministerial discussion and that the Minister should be asked to reconsider the request for a meeting on the 23 February. Alternatives of 16 February, 2 March or 9 March should be offered.
9.3. Members noted a letter and Press Release from the Minister announcing a review of the DARD/QUB link. They also noted the Chairman's Press Release in response.
9.4. Members noted the Minister's reply of 4 February regarding the two fisheries issues: decommissioning scheme and nephrops quotas.
9.5. Members noted the Minister's reply of 31 January regarding the Committee's query on beef price differentials between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
9.6. The Chairman thanked Mrs Barclay for her work with the Committee and wished her success in her new post.
Mr Savage left the meeting at 2.00 pm.
Top10. Date of next meeting
10.1 Resolved: that the next meeting would take place on Friday, 23 February 2001 at 10.00 am in Room 135 Parliament Buildings. Members would be notified if there were any changes.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.10 pm.
G SAVAGE
Deputy Chairman
2 February 2001 / Menu / 23 February 2001