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 22 April 2008.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued following the meeting of 22 April 2008.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 22 April 2008.

The Committee acknowledged the request from the Holstein Society to present to Committee.

The Committee acknowledged correspondence received from the Ulster Framer’s Union regarding the Common Agricultural Policy Single Farm Payment and Support Schemes Amendment (Regulations) (NI) 2008. The UFU has no comments on the above legislation and the Committee agreed to progress the legislation onto the next stage.

PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.35pm.

4. Presentation- Rural College – Msc Students Draperstown

Emma Stubbs, Hilda Stewart, Kate Clifford and John McLaughlin joined the meeting at 1.35pm and made a presentation against the Department’s proposed plans to cease funding of the Msc Rural Development course. The representatives answered questions from Members.

Francie Molloy joined the meeting at 1.45pm.

The representatives left the table at 2.10 pm.

5. Presentation – DARD – Rural College

Paul Donnelly and Pauline Keegan, Department officials joined the meeting at 2.10pm and made a presentation on the proposed plans to cease funding to the Rural College. The officials then answered questions from the Members.

Francie Molloy left the meeting at 2.15pm.
Francie Molloy rejoined the meeting at 2.17pm.
Division Bells sounded - the meeting was suspended at 2.20pm.
The meeting re-convened at 2.50pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 3.05pm.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 3.30pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.35pm.

6. Presentation – Forest Service

Stuart Morwood, Gerry Hill, David Small and Michael McCann joined the meeting at 3.36pm and presented to Committee on the draft business plan of the Forest Service. The officials then answered questions from the Members.

Tom Elliott left the meeting at 3.37pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.40pm.
Tom Elliott rejoined the meeting at 4.00pm.
George Savage left the meeting at 4.05pm.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 4.15pm.
The officials left the meeting at 4.25pm.
The Deputy-Chairperson took the Chair at 4.26pm.

7. Presentation – The Badger Stakeholder Group Report

Liz Redmond, Collette McMaster, Roly Harwood and Rosemary Quinn, Department officials, joined the meeting at 4.26pm and made a presentation on The Badger Stakeholder Group Report. The officials then answered questions from the Members.

Division Bells sounded - the meeting was suspended at 4.38pm.

The meeting re-convened at 5.10pm.

The officials left the meeting at 5.40pm.

8. SL1-The Avian Influenza (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Ian McKee, Department official joined the meeting at 5.40pm and briefed the Committee on the proposed changes in The Avian Influenza (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008. The official then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.

The officials left the meeting at 5.45pm.

9. SLI-The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Linda Meldrum, Department official joined the meeting at 17.40pm and presented to Committee proposed changes in the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Amendment) Regulation (NI) 2008. The official then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the matter proceed to the next stage.

The official left the meeting at 17.46pm.

10. SR – Organic Farming Regulation (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Organic Farming Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

11. SR – Countryside Management Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Countryside Management Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

12. AOB

Members were reminded to attend the second Oral Evidence Session for the Committee’s Inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use, which is to be held in the Room 144 on Thursday 1 May. 2008.

13. Date of Next Meeting

The Committee will next meet at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 6 May 2008 in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 5.49pm.