Farm visits must be kept to absolute minimum

The number of farm visits must be kept to an absolute minimum with only essential services being allowed access for the foreseeable future because of the virus crisis.

That’s the view of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Pat McCormack, who has also asked that farm inspections be kept to a minimum.

Any request from a farmer to postpone an inspection on health grounds should be respected and granted by the relevant agency, he said.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Edmond Phelan called on the Department of Agriculture to temporarily suspend on-farm inspections.

Mr Phelan said the ICSA is willing to work with the department to ensure the highest standards are maintained, but in a way that protects and support hard-working farm families.

Irish Farmers Association president Tim Cullinan previously urged people who have business on farms to only visit by appointment.

“It is also important that farmers keep in touch via phone with their neighbours who might be farming on their own,” he said.