IFA accuses Coveney of delaying farmers’ charter
Deputy president Tim O’Leary, speaking at a protest outside the minister’s office in Dublin, said farmers were promised the charter to coincide with the new CAP, which began on January 1.
He said farmers had become increasingly frustrated at the burden of bureaucracy, unannounced inspections, land eligibility and other penalties being imposed by an inflexible and unfair EU regime.
Mr O’Leary said the IFA is demanding that the new charter incorporates fair notice of inspection, the elimination of duplication, a reduction in overall inspections as well as increased tolerances and a new ‘yellow card’ system for unintentional non-compliances.
“There is a lot of confusion around the eligible land issue. There is a responsibility on the department to give practical guidance to farmers that avoids an over-zealous interpretation, which would unfairly penalise farmers.
“Mr O’Leary said the absence of clear guidelines has left some farmers in a precarious situation due to uncertainty over the eligibility status of some of their land.”
