Unannounced farm checks will continue
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.
The Commissioner explained that the provision for a new rule with a 14-day period for advance notice might jeopardise the purpose of the controls and their effectiveness, to the detriment of the EU budgetary interests.
Ms McGuinness said she established, however, that derogation for a maximum of two days will remain where it is found to be justified, such as in cases where animals are grazing on distant lands and have to be moved to the holding in order to perform the inspection.
The Ireland East MEP said, under the reform of the CAP, farmers were promised less bureaucracy and greater freedom to farm. “While a system of checks is necessary they must not be unduly bureaucratic and interfere with the day-to-day running of farms. It is important that officials carrying out on-farm inspections be sensitive to the needs of farmers and the practicalities of their work and its impact.”
Ms McGuinness said the single farm payment regime requires farmers to comply with 18 different EU Directives. “It is vital farmers are fully informed of all the demands that will be made on them and are given the appropriate time to comply.”
