Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Welcome to the Home Page of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. The committee was established to advise and assist the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill MLA, on matters within her responsibility as a Minister. The committee undertakes a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role with respect to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and plays a key role in the consideration and development of legislation. The Committee Chairperson is Mr Paul Frew.

Latest News

The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday 21 May when it will receive a briefing from officials from the DARD and DETI on the Agri-Food Safety Board.

There will also be a briefing from the Department on The Agriculture (Hardship Payment) Scheme (NI) 2013.

Contact the Committee

Committee Clerk: Stella McArdle

Room 243,Parliament Buildings
Ballymiscaw, Stormont
Belfast, BT4 3XX

Tel: (028) 9052 1475
Email: committee.agriculture@niassembly.gov.uk

Investigation into Tree Disease

The Committee is to commence an Investigation into Tree Disease. The investigation will examine a number of issues such as: DARD’s roles and responsibilities for monitoring and preventing tree disease; plans for tackling plant and tree disease outbreak in Northern Ireland; and biosecurity at ports and airports.

Listen to an interview with Committee Chair Paul Frew MLA:

Concern Over Green CAP Proposals

As a result of concerns with draft proposals in the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development met with local stakeholders to discuss the impact the ‘green’ proposals could have.

The proposals aim to benefit the climate and environment by making agriculture more sustainable and by financially rewarding farmers who follow certain agricultural practices.

Michael Hamell, Head of the European Commission for the Environment’s Agriculture, Forests and Soil Department presented the proposals at the event which provided an opportunity for the Committee and stakeholders to question and discuss the issues.

We caught up with Committee Chair, Mr Paul Frew to find out more about the event and what impact these proposals will have on the farming and rural communities throughout Northern Ireland.

Read the full press release: Committee Concerned with Impact of 'Green' CAP Proposals

Committee's First Meeting of the 2012-13 Session

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development held its first meeting of the new 2012/13 session today. Over the next few months, the Committee will focus on a range of important issues, including Bovine Tuberculosis, Single Farm Payments, and Regulations for Dog Breeding Establishments. Pictured at today’s meeting are: (l-r) Tom Buchanan MLA, Kieran McCarthy MLA, Committee Chairperson Paul Frew MLA, Deputy Chairperson Joe Byrne MLA, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA and Robin Swann MLA.

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development held its first meeting of the new 2012/13 session today.  Over the next few months, the Committee will focus on a range of important issues, including Bovine Tuberculosis, Single Farm Payments, and Regulations for Dog Breeding Establishments.  Pictured at today’s meeting are: (l-r) Tom Buchanan MLA, Kieran McCarthy MLA, Committee Chairperson Paul Frew MLA, Deputy Chairperson Joe Byrne MLA, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA and Robin Swann MLA.

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