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 14 October 2008.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 14 October 2008.

William Irwin joined the meeting at 1.33pm.
Tom Elliott joined the meeting at 1.34pm.
PJ Bradley joined the meeting at 1.36pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 1.40pm.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 14 October 2008.

(c) Tabled Correspondence

Members noted tabled correspondence.

4. Presentation - DARD – Strategic Stocktake Returns

Colette McMaster, John Smith and Roly Harwood, department officials, joined the meeting at 1.50pm and made a presentation on the DARD’s Strategic Stocktake Returns. Following their presentation, Members asked questions.

Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 1.50pm.
Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 2.25pm.
Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.37pm.
The officials left the meeting at 2.55pm.

5. Committee Bill – The Diseases of Animals

The Committee Clerk briefed the Committee on the responses to the Committee Bill on the Diseases of Animals.

6. SL1 – The Organic Farming (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

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

7. SL1 – The Plant Protection Products (Amendment No.2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

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

8. SR – The Agriculture (Student Fees) (Amendment)Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed.

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

9. SR – The European Fisheries Fund (Grants) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008

Question put and agreed.

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

10. Future Presentation

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

11. AOB

The Committee Clerk brief Members on an invitation to attend the International Renewable Energy Conference to be held in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle Co. Down on 29 and 30 October 2008. It was agreed that a representative from the Committee office would attend and report to Committee.

12. Future Presentation

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

13. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 November 2008 at 1.30pm in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.05pm.