Minutes of Proceedings

4.34 p.m. The meeting commenced in Open Session

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

2. Oral Briefing DARD – Schmallenberg Virus Update

The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 4.36 p.m.;

Robert Huey, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer

Jackie Robinson, Principal Officer

The officials briefed the Committee and this was followed by a

question and answer session.

4.40 p.m. Mr Irwin joined the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a monthly update on the Schmallenberg Virus.

3. SR 2012/392: The Plant Health (Amendment No 3) Order (NI) 2012 – Ash Dieback

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has considered the Plant Health (Amendment No 3) Order (NI) 2012 and, subject to comment from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, has no objection to the laying of the Rule.

4. SR 2012/383: The Bluetongue (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012

Question put and agreed:

That the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has

 considered the Bluetongue (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2012 and,

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

objection to the laying of the Rule.

5. Chairperson’s business

The Chairperson advised the Committee that the visit to two dog breeding establishments will take place on Thursday 8 November 2012.

6. Minutes of the meeting 23 October 2012

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2012.

7. Matters arising

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from ANIFPO regarding the NI Marine Bill.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Loughs Agency following their recent briefing to the Committee.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from FASTA recording its appreciation for the interaction the Committee had with the Loughs Agency on issues of concern.

8. Correspondence

Agreed: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in relation to health inequalities and agreed to forward the letter to the Department for comment.

Agreed: The Committee noted the invitation from Premier Woodlands to on onsite visit and agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson would represent the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Committee for Environment in relation to Single Farm Payments and the Northern Ireland Countryside Management Scheme and agreed to forward the correspondence to MLAs in the appropriate constituency.

Noted: The Committee noted the Consumer Council Briefing paper on Food Shopping Research which was forwarded by the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

Noted: The Committee noted the correspondence from Business in the Community which advises that the latest issue of CR Matters magazine has issued.

9. Forward Work Programme

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a briefing with the Minister in January 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that that first meeting following Christmas recess would be 15 January 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Forward Work Programme.

10.  Any other business

There was no other business.

11. Date and time of the next meeting

Agreed: The next meeting of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development will take place on Tuesday 13 November 2012 at

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

The meeting adjourned at 5.13 p.m.

Paul Frew, Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development