Coughlan opposes EC inspection plan

EUROPEAN Commission proposals to retain systematic unannounced inspections in animal identification and welfare and in feed controls were opposed by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan at a Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

“I believe this approach is excessive and unnecessary. I favour a 14-day notice of all inspections,” she said.

“In my view systematic unannounced inspections add significantly to cost and inefficiencies at a time when simplification is the aspiration,” she added.