MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2001
HELD IN ROOM 135 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Committee Business
2. Minutes of Proceedings on 6 July 2001
3. Matters arising from the Minutes of Proceedings on 6 July 2001
4. Any Other Business
5. Meeting with the Minister
6. Statutory Rules
7. Committee Forward Planning for 2001/2002 Session
8. Committee Inquiry
9. Date of Next Meeting
Present:Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP (Chairperson)
Mr G Savage (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Dallat
Mr B Douglas
Mr D Ford
Mr G Kane
Mr G McHugh
Mr I Paisley Jnr
In attendance:Mr P Moore
Mr B Kennedy
Mr J McCourt
Mr E Vance
The Chairperson declared the meeting open to the public at 10.03am.
Mr Bradley and Mr Dallat attended the meeting at 10.04am.
1. Committee Business.
1.1 The Chairperson informed members that he had requested that the Minister would attend the meeting at 10.15am to discuss Foot and Mouth Disease related issues and that officials from the Department would be attending the meeting at 11.30am to discuss the Forward Planning of Committee Business for the 2001/2002 session.
1.2 The Chairperson also informed the Members that Ms K Hewitt had left the Committee office and had been replaced by Mr E Vance.
2. Minutes of Proceedings on 6 July 2001.
2.1 Resolved: that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 6 July 2001 were approved.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes of Proceedings on 6 July 2001.
3.1 Correspondence. Members noted letters to OFMDFM on the Executive's Position Report relating to the Programme for Government, to the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the Executive Position Report relating to the Budget for 2002/2003 and to the Department informing them that the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the Fishing Vessels Decommissioning Scheme.
4. Any Other Business.
4.1 Meetings with the Minister. The Chairperson informed the Members that the Minister has put forward three dates for meeting with the Committee before Christmas recess.
Resolved: that the Committee is content to meet with the Minister on Friday 5 October 2001, Friday 16 November 2001 and Friday 7 December 2001.
4.2 Committee Business for meeting of 14 September 2001. The Chairperson informed the Committee that meetings had been arranged with the two fishing organisation for the meeting of 14 September 2001, before meeting with officials from the Department to discuss the Fishing Vessels Decommissioning Scheme Statutory Rule. The Chairperson also informed the Members that at their meeting of 14 September they would be discussing the final draft of the Committee's report into Certain Aspects of the Livestock and Meat Commission.
Mr Armstrong attended the meeting at 10.09am.
4.3 DARD Business Strategy 2001. Members noted the DARD Business Strategy 2001 document, a paper from the Committee office on the comparison between the draft and finalised 2001 Business Strategy and also a letter from the Clerk to DARD confirming that the Committee would receive a quarterly update from DARD on the progress of the Business Strategy.
5. Meeting with the Minister to discuss Foot and Mouth Disease related issues.
5.1 The Chairperson welcomed the Minister and DARD officials Dr Bob McCracken (Chief Veterinary Officer), Mr Stewart Johnston (Grade 5) and Mr Ronnie Jordan (Grade 5), to the meeting at 10.21am.
5.2 The Minister made a statement which referred to the Review of the DARD/QUB Link which the Minister would be formally announcing that day. Turning to Foot and Mouth the Minister covered outbreaks in GB, import restrictions, sheep testing, fortress farming, tracking systems and fraudulent claims.
Mr Ford attended the meeting at 10.28am
5.3 Following her statement, the Minister and her officials answered questions from Members on fraudulent claims, sheep exports, GB and local Inquiries, ports restrictions, sheep testing, compensation and cattle imports.
Resolved: that the Department would supply the Committee with the final figures of the fraud analysis once all investigations have been completed.
5.4 The Chairperson thanked the Minister and the DARD officials, and they left the meeting at 11.04am. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at that point.
The meeting resumed at 11.13am. The Chairperson and Messrs Armstrong, Bradley, Douglas, Kane and Savage were present.
5.5 The Committee discussed whether the session just ended with the Minister and her officials should be printed in a bound publication.
5.6 Resolved: that the meeting with the Minister and officials to discuss Foot and Mouth Disease related issues be published in the same way as previous meetings.
Mr Dallat and Mr Ian Paisley Jnr returned to the meeting at 11.15am.
6. Statutory Rules.
6.1 The Chairperson asked Members if any wished to declare an interest with regards to any of the proposed, or laid Statutory Rules they were going to consider. Messrs Armstrong, Bradley, Douglas, Kane and Savage declared an interest.
6.2 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Designation Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 - SR No 269. The Committee considered the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Designation Order (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Designation Order (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
6.3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - SR No 270. The Committee considered the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
6.4 The Beef Labelling (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - SR No 271. The Committee considered and discussed The Beef Labelling (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Mr McHugh returned to the meeting at 11.19am.
Resolved: that the Committee should seek the views of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland on the Beef Labelling (Enforcement) Regulations before formally considering the Statutory Rule.
Resolved: that further copies of the Beef Labelling Guide produced by DARD be obtained for Committee Members.
6.5 Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - SR No 280. The Committee considered the Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
6.6 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Monitoring Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - SR No 292. The Committee considered the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Monitoring Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Monitoring Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
6.7 Cereal Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - draft Rule. Members considered a proposal for the Cereal Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.
6.8 Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 -draft Rule. Members considered a proposal for the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.
6.9 Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - draft Rule. Members considered a proposal for the Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.
6.10 Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - draft Rule. Members considered a proposal for the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.
6.11 Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - draft Rule. Members considered a proposal for the Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.
6.12 Dogs (Licensing and Identification) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 - proposal. Members noted a letter from the Department informing them that they propose to make the above Rule.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the proposed Rule providing they receive the results of DARD's consultations with the District Councils.
7. Committee Forward Planning for 2001/2002 Session.
7.1 The Chairperson welcomed DARD officials Mr Danny McNeill and Mr Noel Cornick to the meeting at 11.39am.
7.2 Members considered a paper from the Clerk outlining a programme of business for the Committee from September to mid-November, which incorporated DARD's reply to the proposed programme.
Mr Ford returned to the meeting at 11.49am.
7.3 In discussions with the officials, Members agreed a programme of business to mid-November with the Department liasing with the Clerk to confirm when the Foyle/Carlingford Fisheries Bill would be brought before the Committee.
Resolved: that the Department should update the Committee on the Department's progress against Programme for Government and Public Service Agreement targets within the next two weeks and also supply the Committee with a paper on Modulation Funding before the Minister's meeting with officials on 5 October 2001.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 12.41pm.
7.4 The Chairperson thanked the officials and they left the meeting at 12.43pm.
The Chairperson declared the meeting closed to the public at 12.44pm.
8. Committee Inquiry into Certain Aspects of the Livestock and Meat Commission.
8.1 Members discussed a number of topics relating to their draft report.
8.2 Resolved: that the Committee would go through the draft report line by line at the meeting of 14 September 2001 and if any Member wished to raise a specific issue, he should inform the Clerk.
4. Any Other Business (continued).
4.4 Rivers Agency Business Plan 2001/2002. Members confirmed that they had received a copy of the Rivers Agency Business Plan 2001/2002 which had been issued to each during recess.
Resolved: that if any Member had any issues in relation to the Rivers Agency Business Plan 2001/2002 they should raise them in Committee in the usual way.
4.5 Rivers Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2000/2001. Members noted the Rivers Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2000/2001 which was distributed during the meeting.
4.6 Forest Service Corporate and Business Plan 2001-2006. Members confirmed that they had received a copy of the Forest Service Corporate and Business Plan 2001-2006 which had been issued to each during recess. Members also noted that a review of Forestry Policy is underway.
Resolved: that if any Member had any issues in relation to the Forest Service Corporate and Business Plan 2001-2006 they should raise them in Committee in the usual way.
4.7 June Monitoring - Further Allocations. Members noted a letter from the Minister of Finance and Personnel to the Chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee informing him of further allocations made under the June Monitoring exercise. It also advised that the next monitoring round is being brought forward to September 2001.
4.8 QUB/DARD Link Review - Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chairperson informing him of the current position of the review and also those chosen to sit on the panel. Members also noted the corresponding Press Release on this matter issued by the Department.
4.9 Conference - "Where next for European Agriculture" Tuesday 17 July 2001, QE11 Centre, Westminster. Mr Douglas confirmed that he had attended the conference held on Tuesday 17 July, on behalf of the Committee. He gave Members a verbal report on the conference and distributed to Members copies of papers he had collected at the conference.
4.10 Conference - "Poultry Industry Conference" 4 September 2001, Loughry College. Mr Savage confirmed that he had attended the conference held on Tuesday 4 September on behalf of the Committee. He then gave Members a verbal report on the conference.
4.11 Conference - "Farming in a Competitive Food Chain" 24-26 September 2001, Waterfront Hall, Belfast. Members noted the above conference being held in the Waterfront Hall from 24-26 September.
Members also noted an invitation from The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to a Seminar on Wednesday 26 September from 9.30am - 12.00pm entitled "Agricultural Tenancies: An Evil or Necessity"
Resolved: that any Member who wishes to attend the above Seminar should inform the Clerk. Committee staff will contact Members who were not present during the meeting and confirm if they wish to attend.
4.12 Conference - "The Future of the European Meat Industry" - 27-28 September 2001, Brussels. Members noted and discussed the conference being held on "The Future of the European Meat Industry" which had been brought to their attention by the Assembly Research Section. A Member informed the Committee that another Member, who was not present at this time, had expressed an interest in attending the conference on behalf of the Committee.
Resolved: that the Clerk should confirm with the Member who was not present if he wished to attend the conference. If so, that he was nominated to attend on behalf of the Committee.
Resolved: that a designated Assembly Researcher should attend on behalf of the Committee and then report back to the Committee on the contents of the conference through a research paper.
4.13 Promoting Social Inclusion - Consultation on Future Priorities. Members noted a letter from OFMDFM acknowledging the Committee's response on this consultation.
4.14 "Urban Regeneration in Northern Ireland - Neighbourhood Renewal". Members noted a letter from the Department for Social Development informing them of the above consultation. Members were also informed that a copy of the consultation document will be kept in the Committee office should any Member wish to view it.
4.15 "Land Carbon Sinks and Climate Change". Members noted a letter from the Royal Society informing them of the report and also a copy of the summary and the conclusions. Members were also informed that a full copy of the report will be kept in the Committee office should any Member wish to view it.
4.16 British Oat and Barley Millers' Association - Members noted a Press Release from the following association on their investment to support oat breeding with a view to developing new varieties of milling oats.
4.17 "Food From Britain - Annual Report and Accounts 2000/2001". Members noted a letter from the Department advising of the publication of this report and were informed that a copy will be kept in the Committee office should any Member wish to view it.
4.18 "Health and Social Well-being Survey". Members noted a copy of the document's cover published by the Northern Health and Social Services Boards and also a copy of the recommendations page. Members were also informed that a copy of the full document will be kept in the Committee office should any Member wish to view it.
4.19. Provincial, Farming and Daily Press Summaries. The Clerk asked Members if they felt that the collation of Press Releases and summaries, for distribution at each Committee meeting, was of use to them.
Resolved: that the practice should continue but, where possible, all Press Release and summaries would be issued to Members via e-mail.
4.20. Letter from Ulster Farmers' Union. Members noted a letter from the Ulster Farmers' Union thanking the Committee for successfully seeking the annulment of the Seed Potatoes (Crop Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
9. Date of Next Meeting.
9.1 Resolved: that the next meeting will take place on Friday 14 September 2001 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings, at 10.00am.
The Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.24pm.
Ian R K Paisley
Chairperson