Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairman brought the meeting to order at 09.30.

1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

Draft Minutes of Proceedings for 11 February 2000 agreed.
Draft Minutes of Evidence for 11 February 2000 agreed.
Draft Minutes of Proceedings for 2 June 2000 agreed.

2. Matters Arising

Revised Terms of Reference for the Committee's Inquiry into Debt in the Agriculture Industry agreed.

Resolved: The Committee should seek further clarification from DARD on the proposed business programme up to the summer recess.

Resolved: That Members should receive a copy of the Department's 'Working Plan', setting out the grounds for Northern Ireland to be treated as a low incidence BSE region, as soon as confidentiality requirements permit.

Mr PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 09.45.

The Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 10.00.

3. Inquiry into Debt - First Report

Mr David Rutledge (Chief Executive), Mr Mike Tempest (Agriculture Manager) and Mr Phelim O'Neill (Marketing Manager), Livestock and Meat Commission, called in and examined.

Mr Francie Molloy left the meeting at 10.40.

Mr Colin Duffy (Chairman) and Mr Cecil Mathers (Chief Executive), Northern Ireland Meat Exporters' Association, called in and examined.

Mr Patrick Casement (Chairman) and Mr Ian Murray (Chief Executive), Ulster Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd., called in and examined.

Mr PJ Bradley and Mr David Ford left the meeting at 12.00.

Mr Billy O'Kane (Chairman), Mr Ian Thompson (Solicitor, Moy Park), Mr John McAuley (Managing Director, John Thompson's) and David Thompson (Managing Director of Egg Packers, Armagh), Northern Ireland Poultry Federation, called in and examined.

Mr John Dallat joined the meeting at 12.45.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed to the public at 12.50.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 12.55.

The Committee reconvened at 14.15, Mr Bradley and Mr Ford having returned.

The Chairman opened the meeting to the public at 14.30.

Mr Max Hilliard (Managing Director), Malton Bacon Factory Ltd., called in and examined.

4. Late Payment by DARD of Grants and DARD Steering Group - Involvement of the Committee

The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Brid Rodgers, (accompanied by Mr Peter Small, Mrs Evelyn Cummins and Mr Tom Stainer) was examined.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed to the public at 16.05 and ordered a short adjournment.

5. Appointment of Specialist Advisor

The Committee reconvened at 16.15 and held discussions with Mr McFetridge regarding a proposal to appoint him as Specialist Adviser in relation to the Report on Marketing and Retailing. Mr McFetridge was then asked to leave the Chamber. The Committee deliberated.

Resolved: That the Committee should appoint Mr McFetridge to provide specialist advice for its first report.

6. Date of Next Meeting

Resolved: That the next meeting should be held at 10.00 on Friday 16 June 2000 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings to discuss the Committee's first report with Mr McFetridge.

The Chairman concluded the meeting at 16.35.

G. Savage
Deputy Chairman