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.