Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting commenced at 1.34 pm in Open Session

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Minutes

The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 29 September 2009.

The Committee expressed their thanks to the Committee Support Office and Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels for facilitating the Committee’s recent study visit to Brussels.

3. Matters arising

(a) Correspondence issued

The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 29 September 2009.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 29 September 2009.

4. Presentation – DARD – SL1: The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies ( Northern Ireland) Regulations 2009

Colette McMaster, Kate Davey and Andrew Kell, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 1.38pm and presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions. The Committee noted the concerns expressed by Ulster Farmers’ Union and Members agreed to defer the matter to allow for input from industry representatives.

Willie Clarke entered the meeting at 1.38pm
Patsy McGlone entered the meeting at 1.41pm
Jim Shannon entered the meeting at 1.49pm

The officials left the meeting at 1.57pm

5. Presentation – DARD – Pre-consultation on Dog Control Bill

Dr Mark Browne, Colette McMaster, John Terrington and Martin Mooney, departmental officials, joined the meeting at 1.58pm and presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.

Willie Clarke declared an interest

Thomas Burns left the meeting at 2.55pm
Thomas Burns rejoined the meeting at 2.57pm

Thomas Burns declared an interest

Thomas Burns left the meeting at 3.07pm
Willie Clarke left the meeting at 3.10pm
Jim Shannon left the meeting at 3.10pm

The officials left the meeting at 3.13pm

6. Presentation – DARD – SL1: The Plant Health (Wood and Bark) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009

Stuart Morwood, departmental official, joined the meeting at 3.14pm and presented to Committee in respect the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions. The Committee noted the above mentioned legislation should proceed to the next stage.

Patsy McGlone left the meeting at 3.15pm

The official left the meeting at 3.19pm

7. SR: Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009 and has no objection to the Rule

Patsy McGlone rejoined the meeting at 3.20pm

8. AOB

The Committee agreed a press release regarding the recent Committee study visit to Brussels.

The Committee agreed a public notice for consultation on the Forestry Bill.

Jim Shannon rejoined the meeting at 3.22pm

9. Date of the next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 October 2009 at 1.30pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.27pm