Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.33pm in Public Session.

1. Apologies

The Apologies were noted. The Deputy Chair informed Members that following a motion put to the House on Monday 15 September 2008, Mr Edwin Poots had replaced Mr Allan Bresland on the Committee.

2. Minutes of last meeting

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 9 September 2008.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued during recess.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received during recess.

Members noted that the Public Reform Bill had entered the Committee Stage. The Committee considered the following motion:

“That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development provide a formal consultation response to the Committee Stage of the Public Reform Bill “

For: Tom Elliott
William Irwin
Edwin Poots
Trevor Clarke

Against: Pat Doherty
Willie Clarke

The Committee agreed that the Clerk should bring a draft consultation to next week’s meeting.

George Savage joined the meeting at 1.40pm.

4. Declaration of Interests

Members were advised that the Committee Office had received a Declaration form from Mr Edwin Poots and that this would be appended to the Minutes. The Chairman reminded Members that, under Standing Order 69 (4).

“Before taking part in any debate or proceeding of the Assembly or its Committees, a Member shall declare any interest, financial or otherwise, which is relevant to that debate or proceeding, where such interest is held by the Member or an immediate relative”

Members of the Committee thanked Allen Bresland for his participation in the work of the Committee.

5. Presentation – Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science

Dr Sam Kennedy, Richard Halleron, Trevor Lockhart and Vernon Smyth, representatives from the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science, joined the meeting at 1.45pm and presented to Committee on the role of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Scientists. The representatives then answered questions from Members.

Edwin Poots left the meeting at 1.45pm.
Edwin Poots re-joined the meeting at 1.46pm.
Thomas Burns joined the meeting at 2.27pm.

The representatives left the meeting at 2.40 pm.

6. Presentation- DARD- Weather Aid

Peter Toner, John Speers and Rodney Martin, DARD officials joined the meeting at 2.30pm and made a presentation on Weather Aid. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.

Edwin Poots left the meeting at 2.50pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.03pm.

7. Presentation – Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme – Voluntary Modulation

Liam McKibben and Susie McMullen joined the meeting at 3.04pm and made a presentation on the inclusion of Voluntary Modulation into the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.

The officials left the meeting at 3.15pm.

8. Pre-consultation – Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency plans to issue a number of consultations The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken.

9. SL1 – European Fisheries Fund (Grants) Regulations (NI) 2008

Ian Humes and Paddy Campbell, DARD officials joined the meeting at 3.16pm and made a presentation to Committee on proposed changes to the above legislation. The officials then answered questions from the Members. It was agreed that the above legislation should move on to the next stage.

Pat Doherty left the meeting at 3.17pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.17pm.
The officials left the meeting at 3.32pm.

10.

i) SR – The Bluetongue Order Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Bluetongue Order Regulations (NI) 2008 and and has no objection to the rule

ii) SR – The Diseases of Animals (Approval of Disinfectants) Order (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Disease of Animals (Approval of Disinfectants) Order (NI) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

iii) SR – The Milk and Milk Products (Pupils in Educational Establishments) Regulations (NI)

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Milk and Milk Products (Pupils in Educational Establishments) Regulations (NI) 2008 and has no objection to the
rule.

iv) SR – The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2008 and has no objection to the rule.

v) SR – The Zoonoses (Monitoring) Regulations (NI) 2008

Question put and agreed.

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

11. Future Business

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

Edwin Poots re-joined the meeting at 3.32pm.

12. AOB

It was agreed that DARD officials should present to Committee on their Business Plan 2008- 2009 on a future date.

13. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 23 September 2008 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.35pm.