SFP fields need annual graze

All fields declared for the Single Farm Payment must be grazed, topped or cropped every year, advised Tim Hyde of Teagasc, Athenry, Co Galway, at the Beef 2014 event in Grange, Co Meath He said some 1,350 farmers, or 1% of Single Payment applicants, are inspected each year for all cross-compliance requirements.

In addition, 5% of farmers who have cattle are inspected under Cattle Identification and Registration requirements, and 3% of farmers who have sheep are inspected. Failure to comply with cross-compliance or Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) regulations will lead to penalties being applied to all direct payments.

The Department of Agriculture may give no notification, or up to 14 days of notification, depending on the regulations being inspected. Notification is given only “where such notice does not jeopardise the objective of the inspection”. It is important that all records as required are maintained and available for inspection. Further information is available in the Teagasc cross-compliance workbook, or the Department’s www.agriculture.gov.ie website. A self-assessment booklet is available at http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/view_publication.aspx?PublicationID=189