IFA furious over SIU raids

IFA has demanded an urgent meeting with the Department of Agriculture to seek an agreed protocol for the Special Investigations Unit’s dealings with farmers.

The association's National Animal Health Chairman, John Stack, said he is very concerned at the growing number of 'raids' by the SIU which appeared to have little or no justification. "There is no sense for heavy-handed tactics by the SIU when dealing with the vast majority of farmers," he said.

Nineteen of the 78 on-farm inspections carried out by the Department's SIU since January 1, 2002, were in Kerry Mr Stack's home county.