Unannounced farm checks will continue

ON-THE-SPOT, unannounced checks on farms will continue to be the norm under the new single farm payment system, according to Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness.

She had sought clarification from EU Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel on whether or not the Commission would initiate the required new regulation to provide for a 14-day period of notification to farmers.

Ms McGuinness said Commissioner Boel responded that the CAP reform does not justify a modification to the rule that on-the-spot checks shall be unannounced.