Minutes of Proceedings

1.40 p.m. The meeting commenced in Open Session

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

 2. Food Supply Chain

Agreed: The Committee noted the written submissions from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Devenish Nutrition and the General Consumer Council and agreed that all submissions should be placed on the Committee website.

The following representatives from the University of Ulster joined the meeting at 1.44 p.m.

Dr Karise Hutchinson, Head of Department Business and Enterprise
Ms Aisling Reid, PhD student

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

2.17 p.m. Mrs Dobson joined the meeting.

Mrs Dobson declared an interest that her husband was a member of the Anglo Beef processors programme.

Mr Aodhan Connolly, Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium joined the meeting at 2.40 p.m.. Mr Connolly briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question and answer session.

3.17 p.m. Mr Byrne left the meeting.

3.22 p.m. Mr Byrne rejoined the meeting.

3.25 p.m. Mr McMullan left the meeting.

3.30 p.m. Mr McMullan rejoined the meeting.

Agreed: Mr Connolly agreed to provide written clarification on a number of issues raised by the Committee.

The following representatives from the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association joined the meeting at 4.00 p.m.

Owen Brennan, President
Robin Irvin, Chief Executive

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

4.29 p.m. Mr McMullan left the meeting.

3. Date and time of the next meeting

Agreed: The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 20 November 2012 at

1.30 p.m. in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting adjourned at 4.55 p.m.

Paul Frew, Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development