Farmers could claim confiscation compensation

Animal health inspectors confiscating livestock without paying compensation to farmers are in breach of the constitution, according to the Farmers' Rights Action Group.

The group is meeting in Co Laois today to draw up guidelines for farmers who feel badly-treated by Special Investigations Unit of the Department of Agriculture.

The group says it supports disease-eradication programmes, but that its members have a right to be consulted and informed about the actions of inspectors.

The group says the State may have to pay millions of euro to farmers who have had their livestock confiscated without explanation or financial compensation.