Increased policing role for local authorities

LOCAL authorities will have a bigger role in policing the Single Payment Scheme. “While only 1% of farms are to have an on-farm inspection, I understand that the selection will be on the basis of a shortlist furnished to the Department by Local Authorities,” said Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson Denis Naughten TD, this week.

He said many farmers fear that the Department of Agriculture will introduce a strict policing regime, because they will be the beneficiary of all penalties, which had to be returned to the EU Commission in the previous premia system.

“As the Local Authority shortlist will be composed of farmers who are currently non-compliant or under suspicion of non-compliance, this will lead to the Department finding that the majority of farmers inspected are non-compliant with the regulations.”