New nitrates regulations duplicate existing inspections, IFA claims

NEW nitrate regulations introduced by Environment Minister John Gormley duplicates on-farm inspections already being carried out by the Department of Agriculture, the Irish Farmers Association claimed yesterday.

However, the minister’s department said local authorities have always been empowered to carry out inspections in connection with compliance and the new regulations simply ramp up these measures.

But the IFA president Padraig Walshe said despite the need to massively improve competitiveness and reduce public sector costs, the Government wants to create a second squad of farm inspectors in each local authority.