Department’s new investigation unit ‘must not repeat past mistakes’

Farmers have welcomed the new investigations unit unveiled by the Department of Agriculture, but warn that it must avoid repeating the mistakes of its predecessor.

IFA president Eddie Downey said farmers had lost all faith in the old Special Investigations Unit. He said it wants the new unit to implement the charter of rights which, in the view of farmers, the Special Investigations Unit had failed to follow.

“The decision to establish a new division is welcome,” said Mr Downey. “It recognises the concerns IFA has repeatedly expressed about the unit since I took over as president. The move also reflects the deep unease among farm families about the activities of the Special Investigations Unit.”