Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

End of Session Report 2024 – 2025

Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs - End of Session Report 2024 – 2025.pdf (1.29 mb)

Remit and Powers

The Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is a Statutory Departmental Committee established in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9 of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement, under Section 29 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and under Assembly Standing Order 48. The Committee has a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role in respect of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and has a role in the initiation of legislation.

The Committee has power to:

• Consider and advise on Departmental budgets and annual plans in the context of the overall budget allocation;
• Approve relevant secondary legislation and take the Committee Stage of relevant primary legislation;
• Call for persons and papers;
• Initiate inquiries and make reports; and
• Consider and advise on matters brought to the Committee by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Membership

The Committee has nine members, including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, and a quorum of five members. The current membership of the Committee is as follows:

Robbie Butler MLA (Chairperson)

Declan McAleer MLA, Sinn Féin (Deputy Chairperson)

John Blair MLA, Alliance

Tom Buchanan MLA, DUP

Aoife Finnegan MLA Sinn Féin

William Irwin MLA, DUP

Daniel McCrossan MLA, SDLP

Michelle McIlveen MLA, DUP

Áine Murphy MLA, Sinn Féin

With effect from 27 September 2024 Baron Tom Elliott of Ballinamallard stepped down as Chairperson.

With effect from 30 September 2024 Robbie Butler MLA was appointed Chairperson.

With effect from 17 February 2025 Nicola Brogan MLA was replaced by Aoife Finnegan MLA as a Member of the Committee.

With effect from 8 September 2025 Patsy McGlone MLA was replaced by Daniel McCrossan MLA as a Member of the Committee.

KEY ACTIVITIES, OUTPUTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

1. This report covers the work of the Committee for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs during the 2023 - 25 parliamentary session of 8 February 2024 to 4 July 2025.
   
   

   PRIMARY LEGISLATION
   

   The Agriculture Bill.
   

2. The Bill proposed to amend, and conferred powers to make further modifications to, assimilated direct legislation in relation to the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme (FVAS). It also provided powers to modify promotion schemes for agricultural products.
3. The Committee held a pre-legislative evidence session with DAERA Officials on 20 June 2024 regarding the outcome of the public consultation and also pre-legislative evidence sessions with stakeholders from the mushroom sector, who were most impacted by the proposals.
4. The Committee Stage commenced on 4December and a public Call for Evidence on Citizen Space ran from 10 January 2025 to 14 February 2025. The Committee considered the Bill at thirteen Committee meetings and reported on the Bill on 23 May 2025.
5. Overall, the Committee felt it had been placed in a difficult position as this enabling Bill had wide powers (albeit in a narrow remit) and as the review of the current schemes had not been completed by DAERA, Members had no sight of a replacement support scheme for the horticulture sector.
6. However, the Committee's evidence and scrutiny encouraged the Minister to not close the current scheme at the end of 2025 and to allow applications for new three-year programmes in September 2025.
7. After due consideration the Committee did not request any amendments. Most of the Committee did not agree to Clause 1, which made support under the FVAS discretionary, however, agreed not to formally table an opposition to the clause stand part, primarily based on a Ministerial assurance that he would continue to support the mushroom industry.
8. The Committee's recommendations includedthat an enabling Bill should only be brought when policy is more developed to allow proper Committee scrutiny.
   
   

   Dilapidation Bill
   

9. The Bill aims to confer functions on district councils to deal with the negative impact of dilapidated buildings and land. It was introduced to the Assembly on 23 June 2025 and completed its second stage on 1 July. The Committee received a pre-introductory briefing from Officials on 19 June and the Committee's Call for Evidence commenced on 7 July and is due to close on 10 October.
   
   

   SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION
   

10. The Committee scrutinised policy proposals (SL1s), Statutory Rules (SRs) and Statutory Instruments (SIs). It approved 57 pieces of secondary legislation (some of the more notable are outlined below) and prayed against two.
    
    

    Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP)

11. The SAP is designed to transition farming to improved environmental sustainability, enhanced productivity, stronger resilience and an effective functioning supply chain, while providing supporting to the agri-food sector. Related secondary legislation scrutinised included:
    
    The Farming for the Generations Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.
    
    The Farm Sustainability Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
    
    The Suckler Cow Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
    
    The Farming with Nature Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
    
    The Horticulture Pilot Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
    

    
    Dangerous Dogs
    

12. The Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 and Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 - these SRs were a challenge for Committee, However, public safety concerns prevailed and the Committee agreed to support the designation of the XL Bully type of dog as a dangerous breed.
    
    

    Environmental legislation

13. The Committee scrutinised secondary legislation stemming from the Climate Change Act 2022, including:
    
    The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024; and
    
    The Climate Change (Carbon Budgets 2023-2037) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.
    
    
14. In addition, the banning of single-use vapes was taken forward using environmental legislation - the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 and subsequent amendment regulations to further strengthen the 2024 Regulations.
    
    

    SRs Prayed Against by the Committee
    

    HOPS Certification (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

15. The Regulations were to amend the Hops Certification Regulations 1979, to maintain enforcement powers for updated EU rules on hops certification and imports from third countries, directly applicable here under the Windsor Framework. Some Members highlighted concerns on the need for the Regulations, given that there are no hop growers in Northern Ireland and some expressed concern on divergence from the UK. The motion was negatived in the Assembly on 14 October 2024.
    
    

    The Direct Payments to Farmers (Cross-Compliance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

16. The Statutory Rule was connected to water quality and environmental concerns and would have caused a return to a previous stronger penalty regime, as a deterrent to those who do not comply with the regulations on a recurring basis.
17. Most Members felt that a return to the previous penalty regime was too draconian, particularly when the Committee learned that the Minister was developing a new system in the near future, although there was support for higher penalties for intentional or repeated careless environmental breaches. The prayer of annulment was supported at the Assembly on 4 February 2025.
    
    
    

    LEGISLATIVE CONSENT MOTIONS
    

    Pet Abduction Private Member's Bill (UK Government).

18. The LCM was debated in the Chamber on 13 May 2025. The Committee highlighted insufficient time for Committee scrutiny and the preference for bespoke legislation on devolved matters. It made a number of recommendations, including that animal welfare officers should consider how co-ordination could be improved and that further work with the PSNI should commence around the implications of the Bill.
    
    

    Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill (UK Government).

19. The LCM was debated in the Chamber on 1 July 2025. While supportive of the LCM on animal welfare grounds, the Committee agreed it was not content to take a definitive position as it had not been given sufficient time to conduct its scrutiny. However, the Committee was pleased that DAERA gave a commitment to earlier engagement on future LCMs.
    
    

    UK Employment Rights Bill

20. The Committee for Communities led on the LCM relating to the Bill to abolish the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), move its enforcement powers under the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and create a UK-wide Fair Work Agency to carry out the work of the GLAA. The Committee supported the LCM noting Minister Muir's requested amendment that the power will not be exercisable in the absence of NI Executive approval.
    
    

    COMMITTEE MOTIONS

21. Over the course of this parliamentary session the Committee has taken two motions to the chamber for debate. The link to these debates is below:-
    
    A Motion to extend the Committee stage of the Agriculture Bill to 23 May 2025. The Motion was carried in Plenary on 20 January 2025.
    
    A Motion to extend committee stage of Dilapidation Bill to 15th May 2026. The Motion was carried in Plenary on 23 September 2025.
    
    

    INQUIRIES

22. The Committee did not conduct any Inquiries over this parliamentary session.
    
    

    POLICY SCRUTINY

23. The Committee focused its policy scrutiny by theme to ensure a balance of its extensive remit. A first Strategic Planning Meeting was held at Clotworthy House, Antrim on 25 April 2024 and issues for Committee focus then agreed on 16 May and reviewed at a follow-up planning session on 13 March 2025 in Parliament Buildings.
24. During this session, the Committee commissioned and considered eight research papers from RaISe (published on Committee webpages) on a range of topics including Net Zero Targets; Rural Policy and Delivery and Community Asset transfer.
25. In addition, the Committee also invited interested groups to brief them and engaged in external visits to understand the issues first hand and raise the profile of the Committee's work across Northern Ireland. The Committee will hold a further planning meeting in Autumn 2025.
    
    

    Climate Change

26. The Committee has closely scrutinised the Just Transition element of the Climate Change Act 2022 and commissioned a RaISe paper (presented on 19 September 2024), which provided details on the concept of Just Transition as well as examples from other jurisdictions.
27. The Costs of implementing the Climate Change Act was another area of focus and the Committee commissioned a RaISe paper regarding Climate Change/Net Zero Targets and Related 'Public Purse' Costs. The Committee scrutinised preliminary estimated costs for the 'public purse'.
28. The Committee has a range of views on the carbon budget emissions targets, with some Members feeling the targets are too ambitious and others keen to see the relevant regulations proceed with concern that Northern Ireland lags in moving towards net zero.
    
    

    Planning Delays

29. This has been a furtherarea of focus, following evidence from the farming community that proposals for new or replacement agricultural buildings are being delayed or rejected due to ammonia emission concerns. The Committee continues to pursue the matter, considering responses from DAERA/NIEA at its meetings of 16 January and 27 February 2025.
30. The Committee successfully ensured that a draft step by step guidance for applicants was produced by DAERA in advance of any final guidance and ammonia advice that will be available once the Department publishes its ammonia strategy.
    
    

    Science & Innovation

31. The Committee was keen to scrutinise the benefits of the Small Business Research Initiatives (SBRIs), specifically that to tackle Blue Green Algae. It commissioned a paper from RaISe (presented on 13 June 2024), whichprovided examples where this initiative has been used on agriculture and environment projects in the past.
32. The Committee was updated by DAERA on the Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry (SULS) Phase 2 on 29 May 2025 and visited Blakiston Houston Estates on 26 June 2025 to see a SULS Phase 2 project in action.
33. On 27 March 2025, the Committee visited AFBI Hillsborough to hear of further pioneering research initiatives.
    
    

    Environment

34. The Committee continues to monitor the issues of water quality at Lough Neagh and held evidence sessions with Minister Muir on the Lough Neagh Action Plan on 8 July and 12 September 2024 and on 6 March 2025 with the Lough Neagh Project Unit providing an update on implementation progress.
35. The Committee continues to engage with the Office of Environmental Protection and held an evidence session on 29 May 2025 on two of its Reports - A Review of Implementation of The Water Framework Directive Regulations and River Basin Management Planning in Northern Ireland Report and the Bathing Waters Report.
36. The remediation of the illegal waste dump at Mobuoy continues to be of concern and the Committee considered an update on 16 May 2024 on the types/volumes of waste and then were briefed by Officials on remediation proposals on 3 July 2025.
37. As part of its commitment to Waste Management the Committee visited the Encirc bottling facility in Derrylin on 12 June 2025 to see large scale recycling and the circular economy at first hand.
    
    

    Marine & Fisheries

38. As part of its scrutiny of marine, aquaculture and work force issues, the Committee visited Kilkeel Harbour on 27 June 2024 and took evidence from the Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation and The Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation. Then also took evidence from Lough Neagh Eel Fishermen on ongoing issues they face.
39. The Committee commissioned a RaISe paper on Aquaculture to provide an overview of the scale and value of aquaculture within the UK and Ireland and has successfully raised the profile of aquaculture in Northern Ireland.
    
    

    Food & Farming
    

    Areas of scrutiny for the Committee included:
    
    
40. Energy creation - the Committee visited Clandeboye Estate Farm on 19 September 2024 to investigate farm diversification and the use of anaerobic digestion to create energy from animal waste; and
41. Bovine TB (bTB) - at its meeting of 28 November 2024, the Minister and the Chief Veterinary Officer briefed the Committee on the 'Review of Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland' Report. The Committee scrutinised the 40 proposals in the report to be delivered by the new bTB Partnership Group. The Committee noted that to reduce bTB herd incidence by 2% by 2030, and achieve eradication by 2050, some actions would require further policy development and new or amending legislation.
    
    

    Seasonal Workers Visa scheme

42. The Committee recognised the difficulties faced by the fishing and horticulture sectors and to influence policy at a high level held an onlineinformalmeeting with the Chair of the UK Migration Advisory Committee to discuss its Review on the Seasonal Workers Scheme Visa and the impact on Northern Ireland.
    
    

    Northern Ireland Food

43. The Committee commissioned a RaISe Paper on Agri-Food Policy in Northern Ireland, to provide them with an overview of developments since the publication of Going for Growth (2013) up to the development of the new Food Strategy Framework, with its Food Systems approach. The Committee recognises the interconnectedness between food, health, the economy and the environment and the importance of sustainability.
    
    

    Farm Payments and Support.

44. The Committee held numerous evidence sessions with DAERA on these matters regarding DAERA's farm support contained within the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP). Most recently, on 26 June 2025, the Committee considered the Farm Sustainability Payment, which will replace the current Farm Sustainability Transition Payment, with effect on 1 January 2026. The aim is to encourage farms to become more efficient, resilient and environmentally.
    
    

    Rural Affairs

45. The Committee ensured that it did not overlook the rural affairs aspect of its remit and held an evidence session with the Department's new Rural Policy Unit on 14 November 2024 on its responsibilities and to encourage a review the 2016 Rural Needs Act.
46. The Committee also commissioned a RaISe paper (considered on 26 September 2024) to provide an overview of the emergence of rural policy in Northern Ireland since the 1980s highlighting developments in the intervening years. This informed evidence sessions held with Rural Development Groups and Networks on 21 November 2024 at CAFRE Cookstown.
47. The Committee also commissioned research from RaISe on Community Asset Transfer (CAT) - a process that allows a community organisations to take over publicly-owned land or buildings in a way that recognises the public benefits that the transfer will bring.
    
    

    NIEA/ Forest Service

48. The Committee commissioned a RaISe paper on the value to society of the Public Estate (presented to Committee on 1May 2025) and examined the approach to valuation of public land assets. It was pleased to note that the Environmental Improvement Plan commits to adopting a natural capital approach to consider the extent and quality of natural resources and the services that flow from them.
    
    

    Proposal from Farmers for Action (FFA) - Farm Welfare Bill

49. The Committee gave due diligence to a long running matter that preceded this Committee - a proposed Bill from the FFA to introduce minimum price legislation on farm gate prices. It took evidence from FFA, DAERA and Defra. Having then taken its own legal advice, the Committee determined that the provisions of the Bill would cause several legal difficulties as the regulation of anti-competition practice and agreements, and the abuse of dominant positions in the market are reserved matters.
50. However, the Committee will continue to scrutinise the work being done across the UK to protect producers from the power imbalance between supermarkets and farmers and the Supply Chain Schemes within the Farm Support and Development Programme.
    
    

    BUDGET SCRUTINY

51. During the session the Committee scrutinised departmental budgets specifically at five meetings (in addition to regular scrutiny of costs and resources impacts of new policy proposals) - including Monitoring Rounds, the Outturn reports and updates. The Committee scrutinised DAERA bids in the October 2024, December 2024 and June 2025 Monitoring Rounds. It also provided substantial input to the overall Committee's responses via the Committee for Finance.
52. The Committee were pleased, that compared to the previous year, it could support and scrutinise the Minister's spending decisions in line with the Programme for Government and the Department's business plan. It was pleased that the Executive agreed to Earmark Resource DEL of over £300mfor agriculture, agri-environment, fisheries, and rural development.
53. The Committee held a held a number of evidence sessions with the Minister and his Officials on the budgetary pressures of 2024/25 and those into 2025/26 such as tackling Bovine TB, implementing the Windsor Framework, rural development funding and climate actions.
54. The Committee scrutinised the decisions the Minister has taken in the session to prioritise funding towards his top priorities, including Tackling Climate Change and Protecting the Natural Environment, but noted that much of the Climate Change spend is now mainstreamed into areas such as the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and the Lough Neagh Action Plan.
55. The Committee remained concerned at the disparity between the Resource DEL bids and the allocations for specific statutory functions and projects - often ranging from as little as one sixth to around one half of what was bid for. Of particular concern was the inadequate allocation for tackling bTB and compensation payments (a statutory obligation). Compensation for 25/26 was estimated to be over £47m compared to around £43m in 24/25 and the overall cost of the bTB Programme is estimated at around £65m in 25/26 compared to around £60m in 24/25.
56. The Committee focused on a number of areas of capital allocations such as Farming with Nature and the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) framework.
    
    

    WINDSOR FRAMEWORK

57. The Committee continues to scrutinise the impact of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024. During the session there were 19 areas subject to the direction and control of the Secretary of State for Defra. It was regularly copied into correspondence between the Secretary of State and the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee. The issue of Veterinary Medicines was of particular concern to the Committee and the potential consequences such as the implications for human health and the impact on farming families and communities.
    
    

    COMMON FRAMEWORKS

58. The previous AERA Committee scrutinised nine of the 15 Common Frameworks (CFs) for which DAERA is the NICS lead. This Committee agreed to arrange evidence sessions with Officials on the six remaining CFs to identify any issues and/or potential further scrutiny. To date:
    
    UK Emissions Trading Scheme - the Committee was briefed on 5 December 2024 and on 6 March 2025 and agreed that it was content with the CF and agreed to keep a watching brief on its operation.
    
    BAT (Best Available Techniques) - the Committee were briefed on 20 March 2025 and will return to this matter as no formal decision was made.
    
    Ozone Depleting Substances & F-Gases - the Committee were briefed on 20 March 2025 and will return to this matter as no formal decision was made.
    
    Air Quality and Resources & Waste Common Frameworks - evidence sessions with Officials on will be held on 25th September 2025.
    
    

    ENGAGEMENT

59. The Committee held 58 meetings in the 2024-2025 Session, of which ten were external (and included visits). It received evidence from 294 witnesses from 49 organisations, with 38 meetings remaining in public session for the entirety of the meeting and the remaining having 20 closed sessions dealing with matters such as restricted legal advice and advice from the Assembly Bill Office.
    
    

    The Committee held one event and 11 visits throughout the year as detailed below:
    
    
    Event: Balmoral Show - 15 May 2025

60. After its committee meeting at the Balmoral Show, Members were joined by Members of the Economy Committee and held an informal discussion and Q&A event with the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster. Matters discussed included proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and inheritance tax policies; financial barriers limiting the ability to invest in modern equipment, technology, and sustainable practices; and the need for additional financial incentives and expert advice to help young farmers navigate the planning process.
    
    

    External Meetings and Visits.

61. 13 June 2024 CAFRE, Greenmount, Antrim - the Committee held its weekly meeting at CAFRE and was briefed by CAFRE Officials on the programmes based on its three campuses, followed by a tour of the facilities.
62. 27June 2024 Nautilus Centre in Kilkeel - the Committee held its weekly meeting at the Nautilus Centre and was briefed by Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation and The Northern Ireland Fish Producers' Organisation Ltd on the issues and challenges in the fishing industry. This was followed by a tour of the fish processing factory.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
63. 19 September 2024 Clandeboye Estate, Bangor - the Committee held its weekly meeting at Clandeboye andthen visited the Farm to find out more about its sustainable farming, diversification into yoghurt production and the anaerobic digester powered by crops and producing electricity for the farm.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
64. 17 October 2024 Mount Stewart, National Trust, Newtownards -the Committee held its weekly meeting at Mount Stewart and received a briefing from the National Trust on Nature Recovery, Climate Adaptation and Coastal Resilience. Members then took part in a site visit where they heard more about the National Trust's work on nature friendly farming and conservation within the wider landscape and Strangford Lough.
    
    
    
    
    
65. 21 November 2024 - CAFRE Loughry College, Cookstown - the Committee devoted a large part of the weekly meeting to take evidence from rural groups and networks about the current issues facing rural communities and their concerns regarding the Rural Needs Action Plan.
66.  23 January 2025 - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Window on Wildlife (WoW), Belfast - the Committee took its weekly meeting to the WoW and held an evidence session with the RSPB and the challenges facing nature and biodiversity across Northern Ireland.
    
    
    
    
    
    
67. 27 March 2025 - AFBI, Hillsborough - the Committee held its weekly meeting atAFBI to learn more about AFBI's pioneering research initiatives in farming.
    
    
    
    
    
    
68. 15 May 2025 - Balmoral Show, Eikon Centre - the Committee took its weekly meeting to the Balmoral Show where it took evidence from the Ulster Farmers' Union and was updated on a range of matters, including: proposed inheritance tax changes; its initial views on the Nutrients Action Consultation and Bovine Tuberculosis in Northern Ireland - Blueprint for Eradication.
    
    It also heard from the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster who focused on the issues and challenges faced by young farmers throughout Northern Ireland.
    
    
    
    
    
    
69. 11-12 June 2025 - Two-day visit to Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh - Members engaged with local stakeholders on issues relating to peatland restoration, fisheries, conservation and the circular economy. Over the two days Members took evidence from Ulster Wildlife, DAERA's Fisheries Team, the RSPB, the Loughs Agency and Waterways Ireland.
70. The visit included An Creggan Peatland Centre and a fact-finding boat tour of Lough Erne with RSPB and DAERA Officials. It conducted its formal weekly Committee meeting at Castle Archdale Country Park. The Committee then visited to Encirc, Derrylin for a tour of its recycled glass bottle manufacturing facilities.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
71. 26 June 2025 - Blakiston Houston Estates, Dundonald, after the weekly meeting in Parliament Buildings the Committee was given a presentation and a tour of the Sustainable Use of Livestock Slurry project.
72. 3 July 2025 - CAFRE Hill Farm, Glenwherry, Antrim Hills - the Committee took its weekly meeting to the Hill Farm and was briefed by CAFRE Officials who provided insights into sustainable land management, biodiversity and upland farming practices. The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust also presented on conserving red grouse populations and their associated habitats.
    
    
    

    
    Informal Meetings
    

    A range of Informal Meetings were held, including:
73. 30 April 2024 - a number of Committee Members held an informal briefing and Q and A session with representatives from Farmers for Action regarding their proposed draft Farm Welfare Bill.
74. 8 July 2024- The Chair and Deputy Chair met the Chair of Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland (AHWNI) to discuss secondary legislation of the BVD Eradication Programme.
75. 22 January 2025 - The Chair and Deputy Chair met the Minister to discuss the handling of SL1 - The Animals (Identification, Records, Movement and Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025.
76. 20 February 2025 - the Committeemet informally online with the Chair of the UK Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to discuss its review and recommendations on the Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS) Visa.
77. 3 June 2025 - a meeting was held between the Chair, Deputy Chair and Minister Muir on proposals contained in the Nutrients Action Plan (NAP) Consultation.
78. 2 July 2025 - The Chair and Clerk had an informal working lunch with the Minister and Senior DAERA Officials regarding strategic issues plans for the year ahead and the eight key priorities in the DAERA corporate plan.
79. 22 July 2025 - Members of the Committee met with Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine Environment, Timmy Dooley, to discuss matters of common interest.
    
    
    

    Concurrent meetings

80. 12 December 2024 and 3 June 2025 - the Committee held joint meetings with the Committee for Infrastructure to take evidence from the UFU, DAERA Officials and a farmer with lived experience regarding the effects on the farming community of the A5 Western Transport Corridor Scheme.
81. 5 March 2025 - the Committee met with the Economy Committee to hear evidence on the response of Fibrus Networks Ltd to damage caused to infrastructure due to Storm Éowyn.
82. 28 May 2025 - the Committee met with the Economy Committee to discuss the provision of telecommunications access in rural and urban areas; the development of related storm protection measures; the need for formalised back-up arrangements with broadband sub-contractors; and effects of the absence of an Openreach Service Level Agreement.
83. The Priorities for the Next Session include:

• The Committee Stage of the Dilapidation Bill;
• Members' Bills - two Members wrote to the Committee to signal their intention to introduce Members' Bills in the next session:
  • The Hunting of Wild Mammals Bill - John Blair MLA
  • Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Bill - Declan McAleer MLA;
• Remediation Strategy for the Mobuoy Site;
• Water Quality - for drinking, bathing, aquaculture;
• NAP - stakeholder event to seek views on the NAP proposals;
• Progress of Lough Neagh Report and Action Plan;
• Just Transition - Climate Change;
• Bovine TB
• Planning application delays and Ammonia Strategy
• Support for farmers and rural communities.

Committee Expenditure

Details of Committee expenditure for the session are contained at Appendix A.

Contact Details

Anyone wishing to contact the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs should do so at the following address:

The Clerk to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Room 244 Parliament Buildings Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX Email: committee.agriculture@niassembly.gov.uk

ANNEX A - Committee for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs

Expenditure for the period 3 February 2024 - 31 August 2025