Agriculture Committee (Hansard, 5 December 1983)

§ Mr. Peter Robinson
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the recommendations made by the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee on Agriculture in its various reports which have been accepted and acted upon by the Government.

§ Mr. Butler
At 31 October 1983, the Department of Agriculture had taken action on the following recommendations:

(i) Report on Special Aid for Agriculture.

—that an explanation be offered for the wide variation in public expenditure allocations to agriculture within the Northern Ireland Programme between 1978–79 and 1983–84.

—that the Minister of State impress upon the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the difficulties of (i) potato producers; (ii) intensive livestock producers; (iii) grassland based producers;

(ii) Report on Less Favoured Areas in Northern Ireland.

—that an Independent Appeals Procedure be instituted in Northern Ireland to consider the claims of those excluded from the current proposal;

—that details of the independent appeals procedure be published;

——that the Secretary of State draw the Report to the attention of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

(iii) Report (Interim) on Proposals for the Future Administration of Salmon and Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland.

—that it be regarded as retrograde to take back to central Government powers devolved to a responsible representative body by the former Stormont Parliament;

—that the Fisheries Conservancy Board should be retained with its present composition and functions appropriately expanded.^*

—that the Fisheries Conservancy Board should include proper representation from Agricultural interests;

—that the enlarged Fisheries Conservancy Board should also include representatives of those independent anglers who do not wish to join a club;

—that the Department of Agriculture continues to provide in its public waters a facility which is not only valued as a social amenity but is also appreciated by independent anglers (particularly those with a predominantly urban base);

—that, in association with the Department of Agriculture and the support — when necessary — of the Royal Navy, the Fisheries Conservancy Board retain responsibility for the bailiffing of off-shore waters;

—that the Fisheries Conservancy Board should not be given powers of compulsory acquisition or vesting;

—that, the Department of Agriculture prepare revised proposals for subsequent discussion with all interested parties including the Assembly and its Agriculture Committee;
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^* Accepted in part—FCB retained and composition expanded.

(iv) Report on Proposal for a Draft Fisheries (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1983.

— that the Government reappraise its position on the management and development of public angling facilities;

—that notwithstanding the transfer of the management function—

(i) the ownership of public waters, together with all rights and obligations accruing, including the negotiation of leases and rights of access should remain with the Department of Agriculture;

(ii) public funds should continue to be made available for the administration of fisheries as heretofore;

that the Department of Agriculture reassess its staffing requirement in the event that responsibility for the management of public waters is transferred to the Fisheries Conservancy Board; that at the same time the long term future role of Movanagher Fish Farm be reassessed; that the Department of Agriculture hold detailed discussions with the Fisheries Conservancy Board with the object of determining whether the transfer of responsibility for the management of public waters can be effected within equitable public expenditure limits;

—that the Fisheries Conservancy Board should include persons capable of representing the views of independent anglers, angling clubs, the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Young Farmers' Clubs, the Department of Agriculture and the District Councils;

—that the Fisheries Conservancy Board continue its existing role of preventing illegal salmon fishing in the North Coast off-shore waters.

§ Mr. Peter Robinson
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many reports have been issued by the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee on Agriculture; and what subjects have been covered.

§ Mr. Butler
Up to 31 October 1983, 10 reports have been issued by the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee on Agriculture:

Report on Special Aid for Agriculture in 1983–84.

Report on Less Favoured Areas in Northern Ireland.

Report on Seed Potatoe (Improvement) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 1983.

Report (Interim) on Proposals for the future Administration of Salmon and Inland Fisheries in Northern Ireland.

Report on the Training of Agricultural Workers (Amendment) Schemes (Northern Ireland) 1983.

Report on the Bridge End Bridge — River Main Drainage Scheme.

Report on the Development of Portavogie Harbour.

Report on Proposal for a Draft Fisheries (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1983.

Report on the need for Development and Improvement Work at Kilkeel Harbour.

Report on the amended proposal for an Agriculture (Miscellaneous) Provision (NI) Order 1983.

§ Mr. Peter Robinson
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many statutory and administrative rules have been commented upon by the Agricultural Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and which of these comments have been accepted by the Government.

§ Mr. Butler
No comments have been made on any statutory rules which have been submitted to the Assembly by the Department of Agriculture.