MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMITTEE FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2001
HELD IN ROOM 135 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Committee Business
2. Minutes of Proceedings on 5 October 2001
3. Matters arising from the meeting on 5 October 2001
4. Meeting with the Minister
5. Farm Subsidies (Review of Decisions) Regulations
6. S.R. No.332/2001
7. S.R.No.327/2001
8. S.R.No.328/2001
9. S.R.No.329/2001
10. S.R.No.330/2001
11. S.R.No.331/2001
12. Specified Risk Material (Amendment No.2) Order
13. Matters arising from the meeting on 5 October 2001 - continued
14. Any Other Business
15. Date of Next Meeting
Present:
Mr G Savage (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr PJ Bradley
Mr J Dallat
Mr G Kane
Mr G McHugh
Mr I Paisley Jnr
Apologies:
Dr IRK Paisley MP MEP(Chairperson)
Mr B Douglas
In attendance:
Mr P Moore
Mr B Kennedy
Mr J McCourt
Miss N McCourt
The Deputy Chairperson called the meeting to order in closed session at 9.41am.
1. Committee Business.
1.1. The Deputy Chairperson invited the Clerk to brief members on agenda items and they deliberated.
Resolved: that the session with the Minister would be covered by Hansard and the transcript published.
Resolved: that the Committee would ask the relevant DARD official to remain after the Minister's session to discuss the Farm Subsidies Regulations.
Mr Armstrong attended the meeting at 9.56am. the Deputy Chairperson declared the meeting open to the public at 9.57am.
2. Minutes of Proceedings on 5 October 2001.
2.1. Resolved: that the draft Minutes of Proceedings for 5 October 2001 were approved.
3. Matters arising from the meeting on 5 October 2001.
3.1. Correspondence. Members noted a letter from the Chairperson of the DARD Vision Group about the Committee's forthcoming meeting with the Vision Sub-Group Chairpersons, and a letter from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister about the provision of Service Delivery Agreements.
3.2. Public Service Agreement. Members agreed that, in view of their recent meeting with officials which covered progress on the first five months of the financial year, it would be appropriate to wait until January 2002 to seek the next update (progress after nine months).
Mr Bradley attended the meeting at 10.02am.
4. Meeting with the Minister.
4.1. The Deputy Chairperson welcomed the Minister at 10.07am, accompanied by DARD officials Messrs Stewart Johnston (Grade 5) and George McIlroy (Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer). The Minister explained that she would be unable to enter into discussions about Rural Proofing at this meeting, as she had been unable to update the Executive in advance and felt it inappropriate to discuss with the Committee in those circumstances.
4.2. Foot and Mouth Disease. The Minister reported the current position, that Northern Ireland remains free of the disease, and including the GB position; maintenance of controls at ports and airports; serology testing here; liaison with the Republic of Ireland and the lifting of bans on game shooting, polo and coursing with dogs, although the ban on hunting remains for the present. The Minister also advised the initiation of an independent investigation into the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Northern Ireland, the results of which are to be published.
4.3. The Minister and her officials then answered questions from members. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the officials and they left the meeting at 10.29am. DARD official Mr Ronnie Jordan (Grade 5) joined the Minister at the table at 10.30am.
4.4. The Silent Valley Sheep Ban. The Minister explained her involvement in working with the Minister for Regional Development, who has primary responsibility for imposing the ban on public health grounds, and others.
4.5. The Minister and Mr Jordan then answered questions from members on issues including scope for easement of the ban, compensation, subsidies and liaison in relation to social security benefits for farmers and their families. Members were concerned that the Minister has not seen the relevant scientific evidence on which the ban was based.
4.6. The Minister and Mr Jordan were joined at the table by DARD official Mr Gerry Lavery (Grade 5) at 10.51am.
4.7. Programme for Government Review and 2002/03 Budget Bids.The Minister made an opening statement on each subject, then answered questions from members.
4.8. The Deputy Chairperson thanked Mr Lavery, who left the meeting at 11.17am. Mr Tom Stainer (Chief Economist) then joined the Minister and Mr Jordan at the table.
4.9. Modulation Funding. The Minister made an opening statement, referring to the benefits of such funding and the restrictions on its use. The Minister and officials then answered members' questions covering such issues as early retirement and new entrant schemes for farmers, the need for DARD to exploit all available opportunities to draw on EC funds and the resistance to reduction in subsidies to attain increase in match-funding.
Mr Bradley left the meeting at 11.33am.
4.10. The Deputy Chairperson thanked the Minister and Mr Stainer, and they left the meeting at 11.33am.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 11.34am.
5. Farm Subsidies (Review of Decisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
5.1. At the Deputy Chairperson's invitation, Mr Jordan made a statement referring to the retrospective application of the proposed regulations, the opportunity for everyone to question decisions and the provision for refund of the £100 fee at Stage 3 of the review process where the subsequent decision favoured the applicant.
5.2. In response to members' questions Mr Jordan explained, among other things, that a commitment to specific Departmental response times would be given in a code of practice and that, on legal advice, refund of the £100 fee could not be made in cases where the Minister's decision ran contrary to an independent panel recommendation in favour of the applicant.
5.3. Members were also concerned about the very specific requirements in the regulations setting out the precise endorsement to be put on an application for review; the potential for confusion with different addresses specified for different stages of review; and the question of validity of an application that was not exactly in accordance with the specifics of the regulations. Mr Jordan advised that the Department would be sympathetic in relation to technical infringements of the application process in cases where the time limits had not been exceeded. Members also had reservations about the fee of £100 for the independent panel stage being too high.
5.4. The Deputy Chairperson thanked Mr Jordan, who left the meeting at 11.56am. The Committee deliberated.
Resolved: that the Committee is content for DARD to proceed to make the Rule.
Resolved: that DARD should be asked to review the operation of these regulations with a view to reduction of the fee, for independent panel review, to £50 at the earliest opportunity.
Resolved: that a letter from the Ulster Farmers Union about independent appeal panel membership would be considered as a separate issue.
Mr Bradley returned to the meeting at 11.57am.
6. S.R. No.332/2001 - Rural Development (Financial Assistance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
6.1. The Committee considered the Rural Development (Financial Assistance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Rural Development (Financial Assistance) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
7. S.R.No.327/2001 - Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
7.1. The Committee considered the Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Vegetable Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
8. S.R.No.328/2001 - Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
8.1 The Committee considered the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
9. S.R.No.329/2001 - Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
9.1. The Committee considered the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Fodder Plant Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
10. S.R.No.330/2001 - Cereal Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
10.1. The Committee considered the Cereal Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Cereal Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
11. S.R.No.331/2001 - Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
11.1. The Committee considered the Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Question put and agreed:
That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Beet Seeds (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and has no objection to the Rule.
12. Specified Risk Material (Amendment No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2001.
12.1. The Committee noted this proposed rule, which does not require to be laid before the Assembly.
13. Matters arising from the meeting on 5 October 2001 - continued.
12.2. Executive Programme Funds. The Committee considered information provided by DARD and agreed a response.
Mr Dallat left the meeting at 12.12pm.
Resolved: that the Deputy Chairperson would also write to the Minister pointing out that members had not had the opportunity to see and consider DARD's IS and e-business strategies or examine officials, and seeking more time to consider and comment on DARD's bids in future.
Resolved: that the Clerk would write to DARD with the Committee's agreed response, with a copy being sent to the Finance and Personnel Committee.
14. Any Other Business.
14.1. Review of Higher Education and R&D in Agriculture and Food Science. Members noted a DARD consultation paper and that the review is to include not only the DARD/QUB link, but also a look at provisions in educational institutions other than QUB. A submission by the University of Ulster (in relation to the Programme for Government) proffering its services and co-operation, was also noted in this context.
Resolved: that the Committee will seek preliminary findings of this review.
14.2. Fishing Vessel Decommissioning Scheme. Members noted a letter from the Minister's Private Secretary covering a Press Release announcing the introduction of this Scheme. Members deliberated.
Resolved: that the Clerk will prepare a draft Committee press notice on the Committee input to the Scheme, for consideration at the next Committee meeting.
14.3. Northern Ireland Centre for Competitiveness. Members noted correspondence from the Chief Executive of the Centre announcing its forthcoming formal launch on 6 November 2001.
14.4. OFMDFM Consultation Paper on a Commissioner for Children. Members noted this paper and agreed that they would make no response to it.
14.5. OFMDFM Consultation Paper on a Victims Strategy. Members considered this paper.
Resolved: that the Committee would ask DARD to indicate how it intends to ensure that victims' needs are reflected in its policies and programmes.
14.6. OFMDFM Consultation Paper on the Executive Response to the Disability Rights Task Force. Members considered this paper.
Resolved: that the Committee would ask DARD to indicate how it intends to ensure that the rights of disabled people are reflected in its policies and programmes.
14.7. Taskforce on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment. Members considered this discussion document.
Resolved: that the Committee would ask for a copy of any DARD response to the Task Force discussion document. In addition, the Committee would ask DARD to outline which of its policies impact on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment and to outline its approach to, and representation on the task force.
14.8. Finance Committee Report On Consideration of the Executive's Position Report. Members noted that their input had been included in the Committee for Finance and Personnel's Report on the Executive's Position Report to the Assembly.
14.9. Promoting Social Inclusion. Members noted the response from the Committee for Social Development to the Committee of the Centre on the Promoting Social Inclusion - Future Priorities consultation paper.
14.10. Natural Resource Rural Tourism. Members noted a letter from the Clerk to the Chairperson of the Rural Development Steering Group seeking information and the results of the consultation process, a paper from the Assembly Research Department on the NRRT consultation document and a copy of the NRRT document.
14.11. Northern Ireland Beef Industry. Members noted a letter from the Director, Cartel Investigations of the Office of Fair Trading to the Deputy Chairperson relating to allegations that a cartel exists between the slaughtering plants in Northern Ireland. The letter states that "the Director General does not have reasonable grounds for suspecting that the prohibitions have been infringed in this case". He advised that the Office of Fair Trading could investigate the matter in the future should further evidence come to light.
14.12. EU Changes to the Beef Regime Rules. Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chairperson about Second BSPS Payment on Bulls, Beef Special Premium Scheme Regional Ceiling Reductions, waiving the 90-head limit on BSP, Suckler Cow Premium Scheme, cow/heifer ratio, SCP Quota, lowering of Stock Density Limits and Intervention Purchase Ceiling.
15. Date of Next Meeting.
15.1. Resolved: that the next meeting will take place on Friday 19 October 2001 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings, at 10.00am.
The Deputy Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 12.30pm.
Ian R K Paisley
Chairperson