Farmers’ charter negotiations advancing
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney gave the updated position to TDs Tom Fleming and Pat Deeting in separate written replies to Dáil questions. The minister said his department is trying to achieve consensus with representatives of the main farmer representative organisations on these outstanding issues.
A committee will be established under an independent chairperson to monitor targets and commitments when the charter is established.
IFA president Eddie Downey claimed at a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, that there is an over-zealous approach by some inspectors on land eligibility and cross-compliance issues.
Recent information on the level of penalties — obtained on a county-by-county basis through parliamentary questions — shows this to be the case, with higher penalties in some counties.
He called for a new charter of rights that will ensure proper and fair notice of inspections; a reduction in overall inspections; increased tolerance; a yellow-card system with reduced penalties; and an improved payment deadline.
