Minutes of Proceedings

The Deputy Chairman assumed the chair and brought the meeting to order at 08.50 in closed session.

Mr Armstrong attended the meeting at 09.00.

1. Committee Inquiry into debt - the particular circumstances faced by the pig and beef industries

The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 09.00. Ms Brid Rodgers, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Peter Small, Permanent Secretary and Mr Pat Toal, Deputy Secretary were called in and examined.

Mr McHugh and Mr Bradley attended the meeting at 09.05.
Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 10.20.
The Deputy Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10.25.
The Deputy Chairman resumed the chair at 10.40 in closed session.

The Deputy Chairman declared the meeting open to the public at 10.45. Mr Cecil Mathers (Chief Executive), Mr Colin Duffy (Chairman), Mr Richard Moore (joint Managing Director, Linden Foods) and Mr Campbell Tweedie (Director of Dungannon Meats) representing the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association (NIMEA) were called in and examined.

Mr Armstrong rejoined the meeting at 11.10.
The NIMEA representatives left at 11.45.
Mr Ford left the meeting at 11.45.

Mr Hugh T Hamill (Chairman), Mr Anthony Forbes (Vice Chairman), Mr Ervine Hamill and Mr Brian Dynes, representing the Ulster Curers' Association (UCA), were called in and examined at 11.50.

Mr Armstrong left the meeting at 12.10. Mr paisley Jnr. left the meeting at 12.15.

The UCA representatives left the meeting at 12.25 when the Deputy Chairman brought the meeting to a close.

George Savage
Deputy Chairman