Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.31pm in Public Session .

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 7 October 2008.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 7 October 2008.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 7 October 2008.

The Committee noted the invitation from Morrow Communications to visit the Rose Energy site in Glenavy, Co Antrim, however it was agreed to defer their decision to allow themselves the opportunity to receive additional evidence on the matter.

(c) Tabled Correspondence

The Committee noted the tabled correspondence and agreed that the Scrapie (Fees) Regulations (NI) 2008 should progress to the next legislative stage.

4. Presentation - SLI - The Conservation of Scallops Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Ian Humes and Paddy Campbell, department officials, joined the meeting at 2.00pm and made a presentation on the above mentioned legislation. Following the presentation, Members asked questions. It was agreed it should progress to the next legislative stage.

The officials left the meeting at 2.11pm.

5. Presentation – Newry & Mourne Weanling Exporters Group

Murtagh Walls, Brendan Kelly, Sean Murtagh, Michael McPolin and Sam Chesney, representatives from Newry and Mourne Weanling Exports Group joined the meeting at 4.12pm and were joined by Harry Sinclair from the Ulster Farmers’ Union. They presented to Committee on their concerns over the export ban on weanling calves to Italy. The representatives then answered questions from the Members.

The meeting was suspended at 2.21pm.
The meeting re-convened at 2.35pm.

George Savage rejoined the meeting at 2.40pm.
The representatives left the meeting at 2.50pm.

6. Presentation- DARD – ‘Wind Energy for Rural Businesses Programme’

Rodney Scott, official from DARD, joined the meeting at 2.50pm and made a presentation on ‘Wind Energy for Rural Businesses’. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.

It was proposed that the Committee should consider initiating the following in relation to the ‘Wind Energy for Rural Businesses Programme’:

1. Seek advice on issuing a notice to the department under Section 44 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998;
2. Commence a full and public Committee inquiry into the Programme; and
3. Submit a request to the department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

For: Tom Elliott
Thomas Burns
Trevor Clarke
Edwin Poots
George Savage

Against: Nil

Abstentions: PJ Bradley
Willie Clarke
Pat Doherty

Willie Clarke left the meeting at 3.29pm.
The official left the meeting at 3.29pm.

7. Presentation – DARD – CAP Healthcheck – Consultation Responses

Norman Fulton, Mark McLean and Seamus McErlean, department officials, joined the meeting at 3.29pm and made a presentation on the above mentioned consultation. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.

Edwin Poots left the meeting at 3.30pm.
PJ Bradley left the meeting at 3.32pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.50pm.

8. DARD – Organic Farming

Manus McHenry, Peter Scott and David Garrett, department officials, joined the meeting at 3.50pm and made a presentation on the above mentioned legislation. Following the presentation, Members asked questions.

Willie Clark re-joined the meeting at 3.54pm.
Edwin Poots re-joined the meeting at 3.56pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.59pm.
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 4.00pm.
The officials left the meeting at 4.11pm.

9. Presentation – Departmental Responses to Committee Inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alterative Land Uses

Dr John Speers, Joyce Rutherford and Martin McKendry joined the meeting at 4.11pm and presented to Committee on the above. Following the presentation, Members asked questions. It was agreed that the responses should be added to the report as an appendix.

10. SL1 – The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Enforcement) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

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

11. SL1 – The Eggs and Chicks (No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

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

12. SR – The Rural Development (Financial Assistance) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed.

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

13. Future Presentation

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

14. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.35pm.