FG TD criticises departmental confusion over on-farm inspections

IT appears there is a lack of joined-up thinking between two Government departments regarding on-farm inspections.

Fine Gael’s agriculture and food spokesperson Michael Creed, who made the claim yesterday, said this may lead to a duplication of inspections by the agriculture and environment departments.

He called on Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith to clarify once and for all “the ambiguity” that surrounds the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

“Minister Smith is making loud and ambitious soundings regarding the reduction of the administrative burden on farmers from EU measures.

“While this is a noble and admirable pursuit on the minister’s behalf, it would be perhaps more in farmers’ interests if this work started at the cabinet table,” he said.

Mr Creed said the minister’s department had failed to agree a process of on-farm inspections with the Department of the Environment.

“Minister Smith gave assurances as far back as last April that the new Water Directive would not lead to further on-farm inspections.

“However, recent reports are at odds with the minister’s claims.

“Now the minister plans a crusade on the European Commission despite not being able to influence his coalition partners on the matter of on-farm inspections,” he said

Mr Creed said compliance with EU environmental directives relating to agriculture has not been helped by the recent 17% decrease in REPS 4 payments, not to mention the decision to suspend entry to the scheme by new applicants.

“Minister Smith has a job of work to do domestically before laying the problems of Irish agriculture at the door of the EU,” he said.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president, Malcolm Thompson, said he remained sceptical that cuts in EU red tape will materialise, despite Mr Smith’s best efforts.

“I would need to see the red tape burnt and witness the ashes scattered in the sea before I’d believe in any cuts in EU bureaucracy,” he said.

Mr Thompson predicted that Mr Smith will have his work cut out for him to persuade Europe.

“The European idea of cuts in bureaucracy differs widely from our ideas and all we have to do is to look at the results that emerged the last time that Europe agreed to simplification of the CAP.