IFA REJECT REVISED FARM INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

At a meeting with senior officials in the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise, IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey strongly rejected new inspection requirements which involve assembling livestock for reading identity tags.  Eddie Downey said the new proposals are way over the top and the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney must intervene to ensure a more farmer friendly inspection regime.

He said there was no need to assemble livestock to read tags for a Department of Agriculture inspection.  “The Department should be able to obtain a reasonable sample of tags without bringing all animals into the farmer’s yard.  Assembling animals involves a considerable workload, creates undue stress, adds to costs, and is another farm safety risk.”

The IFA Deputy President highlighted the need for earlier applications, speedier problem solving, processing and payments under the 2012 scheme.  In addition, he said unannounced inspections are totally unacceptable and IFA is demanding that no inspector arrives on a farm without reasonable prior notice.

Eddie Downey said IFA also highlighted the need for better co-ordination of inspections and the avoidance of duplication as well as increased tolerances, reduced penalties and a strict adherence to prompt payment deadlines.  He said farmers will not tolerate a repeat of last year, where applicants selected for inspection encountered long payment delays.

At a meeting with senior officials in the Department of Agriculture in Portlaoise, IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey strongly rejected new inspection requirements which involve assembling livestock for reading identity tags.  Eddie Downey said the new proposals are way over the top and the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney must intervene to ensure a more farmer friendly inspection regime.

He said there was no need to assemble livestock to read tags for a Department of Agriculture inspection.  “The Department should be able to obtain a reasonable sample of tags without bringing all animals into the farmer’s yard.  Assembling animals involves a considerable workload, creates undue stress, adds to costs, and is another farm safety risk.”

The IFA Deputy President highlighted the need for earlier applications, speedier problem solving, processing and payments under the 2012 scheme.  In addition, he said unannounced inspections are totally unacceptable and IFA is demanding that no inspector arrives on a farm without reasonable prior notice.

Eddie Downey said IFA also highlighted the need for better co-ordination of inspections and the avoidance of duplication as well as increased tolerances, reduced penalties and a strict adherence to prompt payment deadlines.  He said farmers will not tolerate a repeat of last year, where applicants selected for inspection encountered long payment delays.