Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 18 May 2010
Venue: Room 30
1.34pm The meeting commenced in public session
1.34pm The Deputy Chairperson, Mr Elliott, took the Chair.
1. Apologies
As above
2. Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 13 May 2010
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Mr Kieran McCarthy to his first meeting of the Committee.
The Deputy Chairperson expressed thanks on behalf of Members to the Committee Clerk and team for organising the events at Balmoral Show
3. Matters arising
(a) Correspondence issued
The Committee noted the correspondence issued since the meeting of 13 May 2010.
(b) Correspondence received
The Committee noted the correspondence received since the meeting of 13 May 2010.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to Marine Strategy Regulations and agreed to forward the correspondence to the Anglo North Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (ANIFPO) for comments.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Department in relation to hill farmers affected by bad weather. Members agreed to write to the Department seeking that mobile shelters be considered as an eligible item under the Farm Modernisation Scheme. The Committee also agreed to commission a research paper in relation to weather related insurance policies.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from Ulster Farmers’ Union to the Department in relation to the equality screening of the Farm Modernisation Programme and agreed to seek an update from the Department on the consultation with the agricultural unions on this issue.
4. Presentation: A ssembly Library & Research Services - Cohesion Policy and Structural Funds
1.48pm The following officials joined the meeting:
Tim Moore – Senior Researcher
Rae Browne - Researcher
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
1.49pm Mr Doherty entered the meeting
2.01pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek confirmation of the Northern Ireland Executive position in relation to renationalisation of cohesion and Structural Funds.
2.11pm The officials left the meeting
5. Presentation: Forest Service – Business Plan 2010-11
2.11pm The following departmental officials joined the meeting:
David Small – Grade 5 – Chief Executive
John Joe O’Boyle – Grade 6 – Director of Forestry
Conor McMahon – DP – Head of Corporate Services
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions
2.19pm The meeting was adjourned
2.26pm The meeting re-opened in public session.
Agreed: The Committee noted a request from Mr Shannon to seek information on the incentives for farmers in Northern Ireland to enter the forestry sector in comparison to those in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland and agreed to seek this information from Forest Service.
2.40pm Mr Bradley left the meeting
2.49pm Mr Doherty left the meeting
2.49pm The officials left the meeting
6. Presentation – DARD – Pre-consultation: Proposals for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Bass
2.50pm The following departmental official joined the meeting:
Paddy Campbell – DP – Deputy Principal
The officials presented to Committee in respect of the above. Following the presentation, Members put questions.
2.58pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting
2.58pm The meeting was inquorate
3.00pm Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting
3.00pm The meeting was in quorum
Agreed: The Committee agreed that officials should present to Committee when a detailed analysis of responses has been undertaken
3.05pm The official left the meeting
3.05pm Mr Bradley rejoined the meeting
7. SL1 - Animals & Animal Products (Import & Export) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee noted concerns expressed by Ulster Farmers’ Union in its consultation response to the Department on these proposed regulations and agreed to request that UFU attend a Committee meeting to discuss the concerns.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer a decision on the regulations until Ulster Farmers’ Union have attended the Committee.
8. SL1: Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Review of Decisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: The Committee noted a proposal from Mr Elliott to seek a presentation from the Department in relation to the department’s appeals procedures and Members agreed to seek such a presentation from the Department at a date to be arranged by the Committee office.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer a decision on the regulations until the Department have made a presentation to the Committee.
9. SR 2010/155: Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Beef and Veal Labelling Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
10. SR 2010/154: Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
11. SR 2010/153: Foyle Area (Control of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Foyle Area (Control of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and has no objection to the rule.
12. Any Other Business
Agreed:The Committee noted a request from Mr Savage for clarification on the percentage of farm ownership required by applicants under the New Entrants Scheme and agreed to seek written clarification from the Department.
13. Date of the next meeting
The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 25 May 2010 at 1.30pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
3.10pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting
3.11pm The meeting was adjourned
