Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.35pm in Public Session.

1. Apologies

The Members of the Committee conveyed their condolences to the Chairman on his recent family bereavement.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 26 February 2008.

PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.36pm
George Savage joined the meeting at 1.36pm.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 26 February 2008.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 26 February 2008.

The Committee considered the requests to meet with Communities against Lough Neagh Incinerator and Rose Energy. Mr Savage proposed that the Committee should accede to both requests. Mr Burns proposed that Members of the Committee should meet with both parties at Greenmount College after the Easter Recess. The proposals were agreed by all.

The Committee agreed to the requests from the Post Office and the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern to meet with the Committee.

The Committee noted the invitation to the Committee on Climate Change on the UK Climate Change Bill, to be held in Belfast on the 18 March 2008. Mr Elliott requested that any Members wishing to attend should confirm with the Committee Clerk.

4. Presentation – Draft Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Soil and Air.

Harry Gracey and Alan Morrow, Department officials, joined the meeting at 1.40pm and made a presentation on the Draft Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Soil and Air. The officials answered questions from Members and left the meeting at 2.14 pm.

Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.01pm.

5. Consultation Response – DARD Direct Accommodation Proposals

Roy McClenaghan and Pauline Rooney, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.15pm and made a presentation on the proposed changes in DARD Direct Accommodation across Northern Ireland. The officials answered questions from Members and left the meeting at 2.35 pm.

Pat Doherty left the meeting at 2.20pm.

6. SL1 – Plant Protection Products (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Linda Meldrum and David Garrett, Department officials, joined the meeting at 2.35pm and made a presentation on the extension of the list of active substances which can be used for plant protection. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed by the Committee to proceed to the next stage.

The officials left the meeting at 2.40pm.

7. SL1 – The Pig Production Development (Levy) Revocation (No.2) Order (NI) 2008

Peter Toner, Department officials, joined the meeting at 2.40pm and made a presentation on the Pig Production Development Order and highlighted that the technical error had been amended. It was then agreed by the Committee to proceed to the next stage.

The official left the table at 2.42pm.

8. Statutory Rule – The Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

9. Red Meat Seminar

The Committee was briefed by the Committee Clerk on the progress of the Committee’s Red Meat Seminar, which will take place on 13 March 2008 in Parliament Buildings. They were made aware of the Press Brief and notified of which stakeholders would be attending.

10. Committee Report – Visit to Westminster

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the report on the Committee’s delegation visit to Westminster on 27 February 2008. Members of the Committee met Members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and discussed a number of issues affecting agriculture in the UK.

11. AOB

None

12. Date of Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 11 March 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.49pm.