Agriculture JC 15 April 2002

1. The sixth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in the Agriculture Sector was held in Dublin on 15 April 2002. The Irish Government was represented by Mr Joe Walsh, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, who chaired the meeting. The Northern Ireland Administration was represented by Ms Bríd Rodgers, MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Mr James Leslie, MLA, Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

2. The Council considered and endorsed a report from the Steering Group on Animal Health on co-operation on animal health issues between both administrations. The report included updates on the progress made in developing closer co-operation and joint strategies for the improvement of animal health on both sides of the border, notably in regard to internal animal movement controls, portal controls and bio-security measures on farms and agriculture related premises.

The Council noted that a common approach by both administrations in relation to internal movement controls on animals is a shared commitment and that substantial progress is being made in aligning controls applied to imports of animals and animal products by both administrations at all points of entry into the island.

The Council also took note of the joint initiatives aimed at raising the level of awareness among flock-owners concerning Scrapie, promoting common codes of good practice for those involved in agriculture and related industries and developing co-operation in other specific areas, including eradication of TB, Brucellosis, TSES etc.

The Council endorsed the progress recorded to date and agreed that the foundations have now been set for an all-island Animal Health Strategy. The Council also agreed that a co-ordinated and complementary approach to the issue of portal controls should be further developed and maintained and requested the various working groups to continue their assignments to develop closer co-operation and/or joint strategies for the improvement of animal health on both sides of the border by 31 December 2002

3. The Council considered a Progress Report on the work of the Steering Committee on Cross-Border Rural Development since the last NSMC Agriculture meeting. The Consultants' reports in relation to the co-operation between cross-border rural communities and cross-border rural development education, training and research have now been completed.

The study in relation to co-operation between cross-border rural communities recommends an Area Based model for enhancing cross-border co-operation which would operate under the umbrella of local partnership groups, augmented as appropriate by other representatives, in Northern Ireland and the County Development Boards in Ireland. It is intended that funding for this Area Based model would come from the INTERREG 111 Programme, Priority 1 Measure 4 Rural Initiative.

The study on cross-border rural development education, training and research identified a need for greater co-ordination, accessibility and practical application of information on current education, training and research provision. The Council noted that the Steering Committee are examining both reports and will advise Ministers in due course on how best to implement the recommendations in them.

4. The Council noted development in these areas since their last meeting and agreed that officials North and South should explore the issues of concern with a view to further focused discussions at Ministerial level.

5. The Council noted a paper on the progress of co-operation in Plant Health research and development. Four areas were identified for on-going co-operation in relation to the Regulation of Plant Protection Products,

6. The Council considered a progress report on a study on the Pig Industry. The main recommendations of the report include the rationalisation of existing slaughter capacity and scaling up of plant size in line with international best practices. The development of supply chain agreements between producers and primary processors, based on quality customer oriented specifications were also identified as essential to the industry.

The Council noted the progress achieved to date in reviewing the Report's main findings and agreed that officials should continue the process already commenced of engaging with the pig industry and the development agencies in promoting the recommendations of the joint study with a view to improving the competitive position of the pig sector on the island as a whole.

7. The Council considered reports from both Ministers in relation to both Plans with particular reference to the cross-border co-operation.

8. Common Chapter Joint Steering Group.  The Council approved a Paper on behalf of the Special EU Programmes Body which identified the Terms of Reference for the Common Chapter Joint Steering Group.

9. The Council approved a paper on staffing and remuneration.

10. The Council approved a paper on behalf of the Language Sector, appointing Máiréad Mac Shéan to the Board of the North/South Language Body.

11. The Council agreed that its next meeting in this Sectoral Format would take place in the Northern Ireland in October 2002.

Joint Secretariat

15 April 2002