Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.34pm in Closed Session .

1. Presentation – DARD – Review of Wind Energy for Rural Businesses Programme

Gerry Lavery and Kevin Murphy, department officials joined the meeting at 1.43pm and made a presentation on the Review of Wind Energy for Rural Businesses Programme. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.

Edwin Poots joined the meeting at 1.47pm.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 1.54pm.
Tom Elliott left the meeting at 3.01pm.
Edwin Poots joined the meeting at 3.02pm.
Tom Elliott joined the meeting at 3.03pm.
Officials left the meeting at 3.07pm.

The meeting moved into Public Session.

2. Apologies

As above

3. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 4 November 2008.

4. Matters arising

(A) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 4 November 2008.

The Committee noted correspondence issued to the Minister, the Commissioner for Agriculture and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for the reintroduction of export refunds.

The Committee noted correspondence issued to the Permanent Secretary regarding the wind turbines.

The Committee noted correspondence issued to the department in respect to queries arising from the meeting of 4 November 2008.

(B) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 4 November 2008.

The Committee noted correspondence received on DARD position on the CAP Health Check.

The Committee noted correspondence received from the Committee on Procedures requesting that department officials provide evidence in respect on their inquiry into Assembly Questions.

The Committee noted correspondence received from the department in respect to the Committees request for the wind turbine report under freedom of legislation.

The Committee noted correspondence received from the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland advising of the publication of the 2007/2008 Annual Report.

(C) Tabled Correspondence

Members noted tabled correspondence.

The Committee approved two press releases to be issued on behalf of the Committee on flood-affected farmers and the call after a compulsory ban on imports from Blue tongue restricted areas.

5. Presentation - DARD – Floods Update

Peter Toner, Ronnie Jordan, and Dr John Speers, department officials, joined the meeting at 3.11pm and made a presentation on the business case on farmers affected by the recent flooding event of 15/16 August 2008. Following their presentation, Members asked questions and a vote was proposed.

Proposal: that the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development expresses no confidence in the business case for hardship payments or it's author.

For:
Dr McCrea
PJ Bradley
T Clarke
W Clark
T Elliott
W Irwin
F Molloy
G Savage

Against:
None

Edwin Poots rejoined the meeting at 3.20pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.35pm.
The meeting was suspended at 3.55pm.
The meeting re-convened at 4.25pm.
Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 4.40pm.
William Irwin left the meeting at 4.53pm.
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 4.56pm.
The officials left the meeting at 5.06pm.

6. Presentation – Farm Nutrient Management Scheme

Ronnie Jordon and George O’Doherty department officials joined the meeting 5.06pm and presented a possible extension to the above mentioned scheme. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.

Thomas Burns left the meeting at 5.10pm.

William Irwin left the meeting at 5.25pm.

The officials left the meeting at 5.26pm.

7. Presentation – Rivers Agency – Strategic Flood Map for Northern Ireland – Rivers and Sea

John C Clarke and Philip Mehaffey, department officials joined the meeting 5.26pm and presented the Rivers Agency’s Flood Map. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.

Trevor Clarke left the meeting at 5.30pm.
Trevor Clarke rejoined the meeting at 5.33pm.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 5.35pm.
The officials left the meeting at 5.40pm.

8. SL1 – The Plant Health (Amendment No. 2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008

It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.

9. SL1 – The Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.

10. Pre-consultation – Recreational and Social Use of Forest Service Forests.

The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.

11. Pre-consultation – Loughs Agency on Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations.

The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.

It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.

12. SL1 – The Sea Fishing (Marking and Identification of Passive Fishing Gear and Beam Trawls) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2008

It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.

13. SR – The Conservation of Scallops Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Conservation of Scallops Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008 and subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report, has no objection to the rule.

14. Committee Responses

The Committee approved the responses made in respect of the budget stocktake and on European issues. It was agreed to proceed as proposed

15. Future Presentation

The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the future business of the Committee. It was agreed to proceed as proposed.

16. AOB

The Committee Clerk briefed Members on the Clause by Clause consideration of the ‘Diseases of Animals Bill’ scheduled for the 18 November 2008 at 10.30am to 4.00pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

17. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 10.30am in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 5.44pm.