Minutes of Proceedings

1.33pmThe meeting commenced in Open Session

Agreed: The Committee agreed to suspend the meeting for a short period at around 2.00pm to allow for a photo opportunity with the Minister.

1. Apologies

Mr Thomas Buchanan MLA .

2. Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes of the meeting of 7 June 2011.

3. Assembly Research – Wider Rural Issues

The Assembly Research and Information Service Officer briefed the Committee on wider rural issues including sustainable rural communities. This was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Department should be asked to map the applications for childcare and submit them to the Committee.

1:35pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting. 
1:55pm Mr Irwin joined the meeting. 
1:58pm Mr Murphy joined the meeting.

The meeting suspended at 2.05pm

The meeting resumed at 2.12pm with the following Members present;

Mr Frew, Mr Irwin, Mr McCarthy, Mr McMullan, Mr Murphy and Mr Swann.

4. DARD Ministerial Priorities (Recorded by the Office of the Official Report)

Minister O’Neill, accompanied by Gerry Lavery (Permanent Secretary) and Dr Mark Browne (Director of Policy) joined the meeting. The Minister outlined her priorities for the Department and this was followed by a question and answer session.

2:15pm Mrs Dobson re-joined the meeting. 
2:25pm Mrs Kelly re-joined the meeting. 
2:33pm Mr Murphy left the meeting. 
2:37pm Mr McMullan left the meeting. 
2:48pm Mr Swann left the meeting.

Mr Swann declared an interest

5. Matters Arising

(a) Correspondence issued

The Committee noted correspondence issued since the meeting of 7 June 2011.

(b) Correspondence received

The Committee noted correspondence received since the meeting of 7 June 2011.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for Employment and Learning seeking clarity on their proposals for a Working Group on NEETS and Early Years Strategies.

Noted: The Committee noted the Department’s intentions in relation to the Outcome of a Consultation on the Protected Zone Status for Bemisia Tabaci.

Agreed: The Committee notedthat the Department plans to engage with the industry about the introduction of a voluntary scheme in relation to Epitrix, Members expresses some concerns about the implications of not reaching agreement on a voluntary scheme. Members also agreed to write to the MEPs to seek their views on the matter.

Agreed: The Committee noted details of the Departments Arm’s Length Bodies and agreed the matter should be added to the Forward Work Plan.

Agreed: The Chairperson agreed to accept the invitation from the National Sheep Association to the Sheep NI event being held in Ballymena on Monday 4 July 2011.

Agreed: The Deputy Chairperson, Mrs Dobson and Mr Irwin agreed to accept the invitation from the Ulster Farmers Union to the Dairy Industry Challenges event being held in Armagh City Hotel on Friday 8 July 2011.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive a briefing from the Rural Community Network (RCN).

3:08pm Mr T Clarke joined the meeting.

6. Pre-Consultation: Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content that this matter should move to consultation stage, provided that the Department returns with a detailed analysis of consultation responses.

7. SL1: The Plant Health (Amendment No.2) Order (NI) 2011

Agreed: Members agreed that The Plant Health (Amendment No.2) Order (NI) 2011 should progress to the next legislative stage.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a comprehensive list of townlands still within areas scheduled as safety zones.

8. SL1 : Foyle Area (Oyster Traders Logbook and Identification Tagging) Regulations

Agreed: Members agreed that The Foyle Area (Oyster Traders Logbook and Identification Tagging) Regulations should progress to the next legislative stage.

9. SL1: The Plant Protection Products Regulations (NI) 2011

Agreed: Members agreed that The Plant Protection Products Regulations (NI) 2011 should progress to the next legislative stage.

10. SR 2011/22: Plant Health (Amendment) Order (NI) 2011

Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the correction to The Plant Health (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule, as amended.

11. SR 97/2011: The Seed Potatoes (Tuber Inspection Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2011

Agreed: That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered The Seed Potatoes (Tuber Inspection Fees) (Amendment)) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the rule.

12. AOB

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson should approve the terms of a press release in relation to the Minister’s appearance before the Committee.

13. Date of next meeting

Agreed: The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 21 June 2011, at 2.00pm, in Room 30 Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.23pm

Mr Paul Frew

Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development