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 5 February 2008.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 5 February 2008.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 5 February 2008.

4. Presentation- TB Control

Liz Redmond, Colette McMaster and Nigel Clarke, Department officials, joined the meeting at 1.40pm and gave a presentation on current situation of Tuberculosis in relation to Northern Ireland.

Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 1.45pm.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 1.47pm.
Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 1.48pm.
Tom Elliott rejoined the meeting at 1.51pm.
P J Bradley left the meeting at 2.10pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.30pm.
P J Bradley joined the meeting at 2.48pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 2.53pm.
P J Bradley left the meeting at 3.02pm.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 3.08pm.

The officials then answered questions from the Members and left the meeting at 3.16pm.

5. SL1 – Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Seamus Hughes, Jonathan McAdams and John Finlay, Department officials, joined the meeting at 3.16pm and presented to the Committee on the proposed legislation. It was agreed by the Members to progress to the next stage.

Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 3.17pm.
Francie Molloy left the meeting at 3.18pm.
George Savage left the meeting at 3.18pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.23pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 3.23pm.

6. SR– The Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Regulations (NI) 2008.

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report has no objection to the rule.

7. Pre-consultation – Draft All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy

Liz Redmond, Colette Connor and John Terrington, Department officials, joined the meeting at 3.25pm and made a presentation to the Members. The officials answered questions from the Members. The pre-consultation was noted but the Committee agreed to defer it until research has been conducted and will return to the issue on the meeting of 26 February 2008.

William Irwin joined the meeting at 3.26pm.

8. Submissions – Inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.

Members were informed about the progress of the Committee Inquiry.

9. AOB

The Chairman reminded the Members of the Committee about the Red Meat Seminar and agreed to invite additional stakeholders. Members were also informed of the details of the meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Isle of Man, on 15 February 2008.

10. Date of Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.07pm.