Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 10.23am in closed session.

1. Dioxins Report

Members agreed amendments to the first draft of the Report into the Dioxins Incident of December 2009.

2. Addendum to the Diseases of Animals Report

Members agreed amendments to the first draft of the Addendum to the Report on the Diseases of Animals Bill.

The meeting commenced at 11.20am in public session.

3. Minutes of the last meeting

The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of 20 October 2009.

4. Matters Arising

(a) Correspondence Issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 20 October 2009.

(b) Correspondence Received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 20 October 2009.

5. Presentation – Woodland Trust & RSPB – DARD Committee Stage of Forestry Bill

The following officials from Woodland Trust and RSPB joined the meeting at 11.21am and gave evidence to the Committee in the respect of the above:

Patrick Cregg – Director – Woodland Trust
Lee Bruce – Government Affairs Officer – Woodland Trust
John Martin – Policy Officer – RSPB
Mike Wood – UK Forestry Advisor – RSPB

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

William Irwin left the meeting at 11.26am
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 11.29am
William Irwin left the meeting at 11.34am
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 11.37am
Dr. William McCrea left the meeting at 11.29am
Dr. William McCrea rejoined the meeting at 11.30am

Jim Shannon declared an interest

Tom Elliot declared an interest

Ian Paisley Jnr. left the meeting at 12.12am
Pat Doherty left the meeting at 12.15am
William Irwin left the meeting at 12.15am
William Irwin rejoined the meeting at 12.33am

The officials left the meeting at 12.37am

The Committee agreed to allow the Northern Ireland Environment Link additional time to submit their evidence in respect of the above subject.

The meeting was suspended at 12.39

The meeting resumed at 1.34pm

6. SR: The Plant Health (Wood & Bark) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Plant Health (Wood & Bark) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the Rule.

7. Presentation – DARD – SL1s.

Brian Ervine and Martin Mooney, DARD officials joined the meeting at 1:35pm and presented to the Committee in respect of the following SL1s:

SL1: The Cereal Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
SL1: The Beet Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
SL1: The Fodder Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
SL1: The Vegetable Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
SL1: The Oil and Fibre Plant Seeds Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009
SL1: The Seeds (Registration, Licensing and Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

William Irwin entered the meeting at 1.36pm

Following the presentation, Members put questions.

Patsy McGlone entered the meeting at 1.46pm

The Committee noted the above mentioned legislations and agreed that they should proceed to the next stage.

8. Any Other Business.

Dr William McCrea raised the issue of how to proceed on concerns around the provision of road planning in rural areas.

The Chairperson agreed to seek the Minister’s views on the matter before considering other options.

William Irwin raised the issue of final payments to farmers under the Farmer Nutrients Management Scheme.

Willie Clarke left the meeting at 1.53pm

9. Date of next meeting.

The next Committee meeting will be held on 10 November at 1.30pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 1.55pm.