Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.30pm in Public Session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed to the Minutes of the meeting of 19 February 2008.

PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.31pm

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 19 February 2008.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 19 February 2008.

4. Presentation – Farmers For Action

William Taylor and Sean McAuley, members of Farmers for Action, joined the meeting at 1.35pm and gave a presentation to the Committee on the issues of food labelling on meat and the policing of the meat trade in Northern Ireland.

Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 1.44pm.
Willie Clarke joined the meeting at 1.57pm.

The representatives then answered questions from Members and left the meeting at 2.20pm.

Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 2.20pm.

5. Presentation – Loughry College Students

Eoin Murphy, Janice Gibson and Julie Mulrine , students from Loughry College, joined the meeting at 2.20pm and gave a presentation on DARD’s decision to cut the Msc in Communications Course at the College. They then answered Members questions. The students finished their presentation at 3.01pm.

6. Presentation – CAFRE – Loughry College

Roy McClenaghan and Gerry Lavery, Department officials, joined the meeting at 3.01pm and gave a presentation on the above issue. The officials then answered Members questions. The officials left the meeting at 3.57pm.

George Savage left the meeting at 3.57pm.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 3.57pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 3.57pm.

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

Liz Redmond, Colette Connor, John Terrington, Department officials, joined the meeting at 3.57pm and updated Members on the Draft All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy, which had been deferred from the meeting of 12 February 2008. The officials answered questions from Members. It was agreed that the Department progress this to consultation stage and that the Committee receive a detailed presentation on the responses. Members were advised to pass comments about the consultation via the Committee Clerk.

PJ Bradley re-joined the meeting at 3.56pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.59pm.

8. SR – Foyle Area & Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered theFoyle Area & Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

9. SR - Pig Production Development (Levy) Revocation Order (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Pig Production Development (Levy) Revocation Order (NI) 2008 has no objection to the rule.

10. SR - The Zootechnical Standards (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Zootechnical Standards (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 has no objection to the rule.

11. SR - The Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 has no objection to the rule.

12. Committee Inquiry- Appointment of Specialist Advisor

The Committee agreed that Mr Jim Kitchen, Head of Sustainable Development Commission NI, would be appointed as the Committee’s Special Advisor into their inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.

13. Visit to Isle of Man

The Committee acknowledged the report of the Committee delegation visit to the Isle of Man on 15 February 2008.

14. AOB

(A) Members were reminded that a Committee delegation would meet with the Committee for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Portcullis House, London, on 27 February 2008.

(B) Members were informed that a large delegation from the Republic of Ireland Joint Committee on Agriculture will have an informal meeting with Committee in Parliament Buildings at 12:00 on Monday 3 March 2008.

(C) Members were advised on a Bill in process, which the Committee may wish to include a reference to the abolition of the AWB.

(D) Members’ attention was drawn to the Responses to the Varney Review.

(E) Members highlighted their concerns over the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme and Bluetongue. It was agreed that Committee write to the Minister on these matters.

Francie Molloy left the meeting at 4.07pm.

15. Date of next meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 4 March 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.15pm.