Move towards better farm inspections

FURTHER progress was made at the European Council of Agricultural Ministers in Luxembourg on achieving a tolerable and more reasonable farm inspection regime, according to Irish Farmers Association president, Padraig Walshe.

He said the Department of Agriculture and Food could discard its 66-page checklist and come up with a reasonable inspection programme, taking account of the variation and practical issues arising in everyday farming.

Speaking from Luxembourg, he said there was a move in the commission towards a more practical inspection system, respecting the rights of farmers and good farming practice.

Mr Walshe said the commission had given flexibility towards providing for advance notice for routine inspections.

He called on the Department of Agriculture and Food to grasp the opportunity provided by the commission to make a comprehensive submission for a fairer inspection regime, including advance notification.

But the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president, Malcolm Thompson, also speaking from Luxembourg, said the EU had failed to deliver for farmers in relation to inspections.

“It is very frustrating that we still haven’t a straight answer from Europe on where we stand with tolerances,” he said.

“The current system totally fails to address the concerns of Irish farmers."