Concern over farm inspections

Brussels: Concern has been expressed in Brussels about the over rigorous nature of farm inspections, with reports from some countries of inspectors with binoculars hiding in bushes.

Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness said Ireland is not alone in its concerns about the system, which was creating anxiety, where farmers are treated as guilty until they prove themselves innocent.

“Very few sectors are subject to what amounts to this over-the-top approach to checks. The single farm payment is critical to Irish farmers.