Minutes of Proceedings

1.31 p.m. The meeting commenced in Open Session

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

1.34 p.m. Mr Irwin joined the meeting.

2. Chairperson’s business

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Swann back to the Committee following his return from the Ad Hoc Committee and thanked Mr Kinahan for his contribution during this time.

The Chairperson advised Members to respond by today to the invitation from the Department to the CAP Reform Seminar on 25 January 2013 at the Loughry Campus, CAFRE. It was agreed that Mr Byrne and the clerk would attend.

The Chairperson advised the Committee that Mr Noel Lavery will take up the appointment of Permanent Secretary at the Department on 1 March 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to reschedule agenda items for the meeting on 29 January 2013 in order to allow Members to attend the debate on Rose Energy, which the DARD Minister is responding to.

3. Minutes of the meeting on 15 January 2013

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2013.

4. Matters arising

Noted: The Committee noted the weekly update from the Department on Ash Dieback.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from Ms Jo Swinson MP regarding the Groceries Code Adjudicator Bill.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Committee for the Environment regarding the EC Commission’s proposals on roadworthiness tests.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from Ms Diane Dodds MEP on the EU proposals for roadworthiness tests.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to clarify how ‘substantive’ changes to historic tractors will be defined and how DARD envisage these regulations will be implemented.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to copy all associated correspondence on the EC Commission’s proposals on roadworthiness tests to the Ulster Farmers’ Union for information.

5. SL1 – The Plant Health (Amendment) Order 2013

Noted: The Committee noted the introduction of the SL1 – The Plant Health (Amendment) Order 2013.

6. SR 2012/458 – The Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations 2012

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to ask why there was a delay in bringing the Regulations back to the Committee for approval.

Question put and agreed;

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area (Angling) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the laying of the Rule.

7. SR 2012/459 – the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2012

Question put and agreed;

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Foyle Area (Control of Fishing) Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the Rule.

8. SR 2012/441 – The Strangford Lough (Sea Fishing Exclusion Zones) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed;

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Strangford Lough (Sea Fishing Exclusion Zones)  Regulations (NI) 2012 and has no objection to the laying of the Rule.

9. SR 2012/457 -  The CAP Support Schemes (Review of Decisions) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed;

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the CAP Support Schemes (Review of Decisions) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and, subject to comment from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, has no objection to the laying of the Rule.

10. SR 2013/1 The Mussels (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (NI) 2013

Question put and agreed;

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has

Considered the Mussels (Prohibition of Fishing) Regulations (NI) 2013

and, subject to comment from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, has no

objection to the rule.

11. Oral Briefing DARD: Agri-Food Strategy Board

The Chairperson advised the Committee that the Oral Briefing from the Agri-Food Strategy Board has been postponed due to the unavailability of witnesses to attend as a consequence of the adverse weather.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider agenda item 14 and 15 next.

12. Correspondence

Agreed: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee regarding a co-ordinated committee visit and agreed to schedule a visit to Londonderry to mark the role of the city as the UK City of Culture 2013.

Agreed: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Department regarding the Foyle Area and Carlingford Area Complimentary Permit Regulations 2013. The Committee agreed that the Department should return to the Committee with a detailed analysis of the outcome of the consultation.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister on the Forthcoming Financial Correction: 2009 Area Aids.

Agreed: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Department on the EU proposal to allow Members States, with the exception of Bulgaria and Romania, to amend their BSE monitoring programmes and cease BSE testing of healthy slaughter cattle aged over 6 years old. The Committee agreed that it was content for the Department to avail of the proposed derogation once it is adopted.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to ask why they are not taking the lead on establishing the proposals around testing and when further information on the testing regime will be available.

Noted: The Committee noted the copied correspondence from the Department to Strangford fishermen and Strangford Yacht clubs regarding the management arrangements in Strangford Lough.

13. Forward Work Programme

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider a joint Effective Scrutiny Workshop with the Education Committee on 5 or 13 March 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Forward Work Programme.

1.56 p.m. The meeting was suspended.

2.35 p.m.  The meeting resumed.

The following Members were present; Mr Frew, Mr Byrne, Mrs Dobson and

Mr Irwin.

2.36 p.m. Mr Buchanan joined the meeting.

2.46 p.m. Mr Swann joined the meeting.

14. Oral Briefing DARD: CAFRE Courses and Career Guidance

The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 2.35 p.m.

John Fay, Assistant Secretary (College Director)

Sam Kennedy, Senior Principal Officer

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

Mrs Dobson declared an interest that three members of her family have attended Greenmount College.

3.02 p.m. Mr McMullan rejoined the meeting.

3.03 p.m. Mr Hazzard rejoined the meeting.

3.28 p.m. Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting.

3.33 p.m. Mr Buchanan left the meeting.

15. RaISe Briefing: EU Commission Work Programme – Pilot Programme

The Assembly Research Officer briefed the Committee and this was followed by a question and answer session.

4.03 p.m. Mr Byrne left the meeting.

4.04 p.m. Mr Hazzard left the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department and MEPs to request their position and approach on issues outlined in the correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the European Commission Work Programme – Pilot Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the clerk completes the template and brings back to the Committee for approval prior to submission to

the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

16. AOB

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to request details on the horse meat in burgers incident and to ask what action has been taken as a consequence, details of communications with other jurisdictions and what the potential impact the incident may have on the industry.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Food Standards Agency to ask for their analysis of the “horse meat in burgers” incident.

17. Date and time of the next meeting

Agreed: The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 29 January 2013 at

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

The meeting adjourned at 4.12 p.m.

Paul Frew, Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development