Minutes of Proceedings

1.31 p.m. The meeting commenced in Open Session

The Committee recorded their sympathies to the Spence family following
the tragic death of three members of the family.

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Minutes of the meeting 11 September 2012

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2012.

3. SR 2012/254: The Agriculture (Student Fees) Regulations (NI) 2012

The following Departmental officials joined the meeting;

Norman Fulton, Chief Agricultural Economist
Rosemary Agnew, Principal Officer

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

1.54 p.m. Mr Byrne left the meeting.
1.55 p.m. Mr McCarthy left the meeting.
1.56 p.m. Mr Byrne rejoined the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request information on the active promotion of CAFRE courses in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

Question put and agreed;

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered SR 2012/254: The Agriculture (Student Fees) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the rule.

4. AOB

The Committee discussed the motion on the Crisis in Farming.

Mr Clarke proposed that the following motion was moved;

"That this Assembly notes with concern the current crisis in farming caused by the failure of the food supply chain to react to rising production costs and feed prices in particular; further notes the lack of transparency within the food supply chain and the existence of a very significant differential between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland producer prices; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to acknowledge this crisis and to bring forward initiatives to alleviate the short-term financial pressures on farmers."

Question put.

The Committee divided. Ayes 7; Noes 3

Ayes

Mr Frew, Mr Byrne, Mr Buchanan, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dobson, Mr Irwin, Mr Swann.

Noes

Mr Hazzard, Mr McAleer, Mr McMullan
Question put and agreed to.

Mrs Dobson declared an interest as a farmer.

2.17 p.m. Mr Irwin left the meeting.
2.25 p.m. Mr Irwin rejoined the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request research to help inform the debate on the motion on the Crisis in Farming.

5. Date and time of the next meeting

Agreed: The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural
Development will take place on Monday 24 September 2012, at 12.00 pm, Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.32 p.m.

Paul Frew, Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development