North West Derry Group AGM

The outgoing Chairman John McCollum welcomed Harry Sinclair, UFU Deputy President who had been asked to conduct the AGM, and speakers from the Driver and Vehicle Agency and ARC North West.

Harry Sinclair declared all seats vacant, and the AGM concluded with the election of Victor McCracken as Group Chairman, and Richard Kane as Vice Chairman.

Harry then gave a short address on current union issues, including the importance of farmers updating farm maps and the performance of the new electronic grading plant currently on trial at Foyle Meats.

The next item of business was a presentation from the Group to Ken Smyth who has recently retired as Group Manager. John McCollum thanked Ken for his 21 years of loyal service to the Group. He mentioned Ken's work as Press Officer, Silage Competition organiser and organising the Group's bus trips.

Stacey Mowbray was then asked to present Ken with gifts. He received a painting of a scene of the Roe Valley Country Park, a travel voucher and a gift cheque. The new Chairman, Victor McCracken then took the chair, and invited the next speaker, Claudine McGuigan from ARC North West to give her presentation.

Claudine began with an explanation of how ARC is the body set up to deliver the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, to the cluster of Council areas of Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady. The current Axis 3 programme, which aims to improve quality of life in rural areas, has funding of 100 million to distribute across Northern Ireland in this period.

She advised that ARC had 18.5 million from this fund to deliver, and that Measure 3.1, diversification into non-agricultural activities, and 3.2, business creation and development would each receive 3.65 million. Claudine then talked in more detail about 3.1, farm diversification.

She explained that the objective was to compliment, and or replace traditional farm incomes. She outlined the rates of grant available, up to 50% for capital and resource, technical support, training and also marketing support. She also discussed 3.2, business creation and development, which is targeted at micro businesses of less than 10 employees.

The final speakers from the Driver and Vehicle Agency were then asked to give their presentation. After a short power point presentation of the main regulations affecting farm vehicles on the road, the team of 5 DVA experts took questions from the members seeking clarification on a wide range of issues.

One of the topics raised was use of a tractor with a provisional license. It was noted that this category of license prohibited the entering of a 30 mph speed limit area by a learner driver on a tractor, or the towing of a trailer of a width of more than 2.45 metres.

Other topics discussed included definitions of agricultural vehicles, limited use rules and enforcement.

After a vote of thanks to the various speakers, proposed by Robert Moore, the Chairman thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting.