Scrooge is stalking Irish farms

THE spirit of Christmas is in the air and children and adults alike are looking forward to unwrapping their presents from Santa.

But, for the farmers of Tipperary and the rest of Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, in the guise of Scrooge, is delivering an early and unwanted Christmas and New Year gift: surprise cross-compliance inspections.

And, yes, I really do mean ‘surprise’ — without notice and showing a lack of basic courtesy and respect.