Minutes of Proceedings

1.34 p.m. The meeting commenced in Open Session

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above. 

2. Chairperson’s business

The Chairperson advised the Committee that the evidence session on the DARD/AFBI report on “The Review of alternative technologies in the disposal/utilisation of poultry litter” has been moved from 8 May to 15 May 2012. A written brief on the SL1 on the EU position of field storage of chicken litter will be taken on 8 May 2012.

3. Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 24 April 2012.

4.    Matters arising

Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive a presentation from the Department on Estate Management at the Committee meeting on 17 May 2012 at the Balmoral Show.

Agreed: The Committee discussed and agreed the arrangements for the Committee meeting on 17 May 2012 at the Balmoral Show.

1.37 p.m. Mrs Dobson joined the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer a visit to view the Single Farm Payment Process Centre on 10^th May and the oral evidence sessions planned for 15 May until September 2012.

1.46 p.m. Ms Boyle joined the meeting.

The Chairperson requested that Committee Members confirm their attendance at the Committee visit to England on 19 June & 20 June 2012.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Forward Work Programme.

5.    Bovine TB Review 

The Assembly Research and Information Officer briefed the Committee on his paper “The Link between Bovine TB and Badgers” and “Bovine TB – Biosecurity measures”. This was followed by a question and answer session.

1.57 p.m. Mr McCarthy left the meeting.

2.10 p.m. Mr Clarke joined the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request further research on the four badger cull areas in the Republic of Ireland.

DARD Briefing

The following Departmental officials joined the meeting:

Colette McMaster, Assistant Secretary

Colin Hart, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer

Roly Harwood, Senior Principal Veterinary Officer

Ian McKee, Principal Officer

The officials briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question     and answer session.

Mrs Dobson declared an interest as a farmer.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request sight of DARD maps showing the strain of TB from farm to farm.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request information on call outs to DARD vets/private vets when there has been a suspected breakout of TB.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarification on the figures quoted in the DARD Briefing paper in relation to multiple compensation claims.

3.30 p.m. Mrs Dobson left the meeting.

3.40 p.m. Mr Irwin left the meeting.

3.47 p.m. Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting.

3.47 p.m. Mr Clarke left the meeting.

3.50 p.m. Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting.

4.00 p.m. Mrs Dobson rejoined the meeting.

AFBI Briefing

The following AFBI officials joined the meeting:

Professor Seamus Kennedy, Chief Executive

Dr Stanley McDowell, Senior Veterinary Officer

Dr Sam Strain, Veterinary Research Officer

Dr Robin Skuce, Veterinary Research Officer

The officials briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question and answer session.

4.07 p.m. Mr Swann left the meeting.

4.36 p.m. Mr Swann rejoined the meeting.

4.39 p.m. Ms Boyle left the meeting.

QUB Briefing

The following QUB representatives joined the meeting:

Professor Chris Elliott, Director of Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use

Professor Ian Montgomery, Quercus Director

Dr Irene Grant, Lecturer in Microbiology and Food Safety

Dr Neil Reid, Quercus & Natural Research Partnership Manager

The QUB representatives briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed:  The Committee considered requests from Ulster Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and Farmers for Action and agreed to receive oral evidence from them.                   

6. Programme for Government 2008-11 – Written Briefing

Noted: The Committee noted the RaISe paper on Programme for Government 2008-11 – Departmental Performance. 

7. Correspondence

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence from the Committee for Health and Public Safety on the Protect Life Strategy, to the Department for comment.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel detailing the Review of Budget Allocations 2012-14 and 2014-15.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Department which provides an update on the Schmallenberg Virus.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Green Party NI detailing a Private Member’s Bill Consultation on “A Statutory Duty to Co-operate on Children’s Services”.   

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward correspondence from FASTA requesting to meet with the Committee, to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure as it falls into their remit.  

8. AOB

There was no other business.

5.20 p.m. The Committee moved into closed session

9. Strangford Lough – Oral Briefing DARD

Mr Mark McCaughan, Chief Fisheries Officer, DARD, joined the meeting. Mr McCaughan briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question and answer session.

10. Date and time of the next meeting

Agreed: The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 8 May 2012, at 1.30pm, Room 30, Parliament Buildings

The meeting was adjourned at 5.36 p.m.

Paul Frew, Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development