IFA wants a charter to remove stress of inspections
Eddie Downey, president, said the charter must remove the stress of inspections and ensure farmers are respected.
It must reduce the number of inspections, eliminate duplication, have higher tolerances for infringements, and an effective appeals system.
Mr Downey said the charter must deliver payments on time, particularly this year, with the change to a new system. He said reform of the department’s special investigations unit was long overdue.
“Its replacement must deliver a total change of culture in their dealings with farmers,” he said.
In the Dail, Carlow-Kilkenny Fine Gael TD Pat Deering asked Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney if he would review the policy of unannounced farm inspections.
The Minister said that in the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures, his Department was required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms.
These cover issues such as eligibility under the scheme and adherence to cross-compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation.
“These inspections are mandatory and certain, minimum numbers and types of inspections must take place annually,” he said.
Mr Coveney said rules on advance notification of inspections were laid down in EU regulations and had to be followed by officials in his Department.
There is a comprehensive appeals system for applicants if they feel the inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements, or if they are unhappy with the inspection findings.
In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of this review, he/she has the right to pursue the matter further with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Minister Coveney said his Department has also established a Farm Advisory System, under the Direct Payment Schemes, to advise applicants.
Any applicant with inspection concerns should avail of this service, which involves Teagasc and private agricultural consultants, to allay them, he said.
