No-notice RFVs used to detect ineligibility
In a case raised in the Dáil by John McGuinness, TD, it has been confir med that remote sensing (satellite inspection) revealed over-claims, which were followed by a rapid field visit (RFV).
Mr Mc Guinness asked Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney why a Co Carlow farmer’s land were inspected without notice in 2013. Mr Coveney said RFVs are not full farm inspections and involve an inspection of only parcels where over-claims were detected from satellite imagery, and where confirmation is required by a ground visit. Advance notice does not normally arise in inspections of this type.
Following the RFV, the farmer was notified of the possibility of penalties, and was informed in February that overclaims were found on specific parcels he had declared, and it was the opinion of the inspecting officer that these overclaims were made intentionally.
The farmer appealed in writing and the matter was referred to the Department’s district superintendent for a re-examination — which concluded that the original findings were correct. Plus it was discovered that a further parcel was ineligible, as it was not stock-proof. As parcels were deemed to have been intentionally over-claimed, no payments are due in respect of the year concerned.
