Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.30pm in Public Session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 29 January 2008.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 29 January 2008.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 29 January 2008.

4. Agenda 4 - Bluetongue Update

Bert Houston and Ian McKee, Department officials, joined the meeting at 1.32pm and gave an update to the Committee on the current position of Bluetongue in relation to Northern Ireland.

Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 1.34pm.
P J Bradley joined the meeting at 1.38pm.

The officials then answered questions from the Members and left the meeting at 1.40pm.

5. Agenda 5 - Consultation – Disease of Animals Bill

Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 1.40pm

Colette Connor and Jennifer Corkey, Department officials, joined the meeting at 1.40pm and read through the proposed clauses to the Bill.

The meeting was suspended at 2.01pm.
The meeting reconvened at 2.26pm.

The officials then answered questions from the members. It was agreed that DARD would provide the Committee with greater clarification into issues of animal testing. Members would consider the Bill and agreed that any comments should be passed to the Committee Clerk.

George Savage re-joined the meeting at 2.30pm.
Thomas Burns re-joined the meeting at 2.31pm.
P J Bradley re-joined the meeting at 2.32pm.
William Irwin re-joined the meeting at 2.34pm.
P J Bradley left the meeting at 2.37pm.
William Clarke joined the meeting at 2.39pm.

The officials left the meeting at 3.20pm.

6. Agenda 6 - SL1 – Eggs and Chicks Regulations (NI) 2008.

Jill Garrett, Niall Heaney and Dianne Bell, Department officials, joined the meeting at 2.40pm and updated the Committee on proposed changes to simplify the legislation the regulations of Eggs and Chicks. The Committee agreed to progress to the next state.

The officials left the meeting at 2.46pm.

7. Agenda 7 - Pre-consultation – Aquatic Animals Health in Northern Ireland.

It was agreed that the matter proceed to consultation and that the Committee receive a detailed analysis of consultation results.

8. Agenda 8 - Pre-consultation- Electronic Recording and Reporting of Fishing Activities and on Means of Remote Sensing.

It was agreed that the matter proceed to consultation and that the Committee receive a detailed analysis of consultation results.

9. Agenda 9 – Red Meat Seminar – 13 March 2008

The Chairman reminded the Members of the Committee about the forth-coming Red Meat Seminar to be held in the Long Gallery on Thursday 13 March 2008. The Seminar will seek to improve financial standing of the Red Meat sector. The Committee agreed that stakeholders should be invited to attend the Seminar.

10. Agenda 10 – February Monitoring Round.

John Smith, Pauline Keegan and Tom Rodgers, DARD officials joined the meeting at 3.00pm. They answered questions in relation to the Farm Nutrients Management Scheme (FNMS) and Forkhill. DARD officials agreed to provide the Committee with more information on their queries.

Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.34pm.
Tom Elliott joined the meeting at 3.39pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.39pm.

11. AOB

It was agreed that the Committee should be provided with more information into plans to remove some teaching courses at Loughery College. Officials from Forest Service are to be invited to Committee to present on the re-organisation of the Forest Service.

12. Date of Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 12 February 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.40pm.