Inspectors to take ‘common sense’ approach towards storm-hit farms

Storm-weary farmers will not be penalised under direct payments schemes for any damaged fences or grazing, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has said.

He said his department will seek to support farmers facing hardship due to the ongoing storms, and that a common- sense approach will be taken with farm inspections.

Inspectors are aware slurry tanks are full or nearly full, and that some grazing farmland has been hit with large deposits of stone or debris, he said.