Inspection regime ‘needs overhaul’

FARMERS are being inspected to distraction by overlapping agencies, the ICMSA president Jackie Cahill claimed yesterday.

Calling for an overhaul of existing arrangements, he said farmers are inspected by no less than six authorities.

He suggested that a simplified system within the Department of Agriculture and Food, should be introduced.

Mr Cahill said EU Commissioner Mariann Fischler Boel struck a chord with farmers when she stated that she wanted a system that eased the insane burden of endless farm inspections. “It’s time that action followed those sentiments,” he said.