IFA speaks out over on-farm inspections

DEMANDS that farmers be fully informed on all aspects of on-farm inspections by the Department of Agriculture and Food for cross-compliance and nitrates were reiterated by the Irish Farmers Association yesterday.

IFA president Padraig Walshe re-stated the IFA’s position as farmers began a campaign of refusing access to department officials for unannounced inspections.

He called on the department to provide farmers with all of the documentation, including checklists and the calculation of penalties, in advance of any inspection.