Department ‘must release detailed farm inspection and penalty figures’

Charter of Farmers’ Rights chairman John Malone has demanded that the Department of Agriculture release all of its figures on inspections and penalties in a clear and transparent fashion.

In July, IFA members hosted a demonstration outside the Department of Agriculture offices in Portlaoise against a six-fold increase in farm inspection fines from €780,000 in 2009 to €4.7m in 2012. Also in July, farmers demanded that the department support the Charter of Farmers’ Rights.

IFA deputy president Eddie Downey said farmers at the Portlaoise charter meeting concluded that farmers were entitled to the information on penalties.