Call for advance notice for farm inspections to minimise disruption
At least two weeks' notice of farm inspections should be given by the Department of Agriculture, a Kerry TD told the Dail.
Fianna Fáil's Michael Cahill urged the Department of Agriculture to avoid inspections during the lambing season.
He also suggested it should consider conducting inspections during shearing from mid-June to mid-July, or ramming from mid-September to early November to minimise disruption for farmers.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said inspections were a requirement of European Union Regulations.
The approach and reporting system used is standardised across all areas of the country to ensure consistency and fair treatment of all farmers.
"In relation to the various schemes my department administers, on-farm inspections are a requirement of the EU regulations and the terms and conditions. The inspection approach and reporting system used is standardised across all areas of the country to ensure consistency and fair treatment of all farmers," Mr Heydon said.
Kerry TD Michael Cahill suggested the department should consider conducting inspections during shearing from mid-June to mid-July, or ramming from mid-September to early November to minimise disruption for farmers.
"In relation to providing notice for on-farm inspections, as agreed in the Farmers' Charter of Rights with the farm bodies, all inspections will, in the main, be announced."
He explained where giving advanced notice of an inspection interferes with the purpose or effectiveness of the control, no notice is given. The level of notice given is generally two days.
'However, in duly justified cases, additional notice may be given, but limited to the minimum necessary. This may particularly be the case for inspections involving hill sheep flocks,' he added.
"Regarding inspections involving sheep, my department takes account of the circumstances and follows agreed protocols with the farming bodies in relation to penning at lambing time."
"I can assure the deputy that in relation to carrying out inspections in hill sheep areas, my department will endeavour to take account of the timing of inspections relative to when sheep move to and from the hills, provide adequate notice and tolerances to take account of the unique circumstances in the hill areas, while at the same time endeavouring to complete the necessary inspections to ensure that farmers receive their payments on time," Mr Heydon concluded.
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