Minutes of Proceedings

 1.32 p.m. The meeting commenced in Open Session

1. Apologies

The apologies are recorded above.

2. Minutes of the meeting 28 May 2013

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2013.

1.34 p.m. Mr Clarke joined the meeting.

3. SR 2013/144: The Agriculture (Hardship Payment) Scheme (NI) 2013

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered SR 2013/144: The Agriculture (Hardship Payment) Scheme (NI) 2013 and has no objection to the rule.

1.36 p.m. Mr Buchanan joined the meeting.

1.37 p.m. Mr Irwin joined the meeting.

4. Forward Work Programme – Committee Discussion

Agreed: The Committee agreed an additional meeting on 27 June 2013 at 2.00 p.m. to hear from the four main banks.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to discuss attendance at the National Ploughing Championship, at the meeting on 18 June 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Forward Work Programme.

1.45 p.m. Mr McCarthy left the meeting.

5. AOB

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to ask that she now formally responds to the Mourne Farmers regarding a range of issues they raised with the Committee on 4 March 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request an assessment of the recent Fodder Scheme, to ask for the role and remit of the Fodder Task Force and information regarding the non-inclusion of Lakeland Dairies.

6. Date and time of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Thursday 13 June 2013 at 2.00 p.m., the Education Room, Mount Stewart, Newtownards.

The meeting adjourned at 1.50 p.m.

Paul Frew, Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development