Vol. 434 No. 3
126 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made that all inspectors from his Department, irrespective of purpose, will give at least three days notice to farmers prior to the date of the visit when visiting farmers in connection with their applications for various grants and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
EC Regulation 3887/92 stipulates that advance notice of inspections under schemes subject to the integrated administration and control system shall be limited to the minimum necessary, although as a general rule, it should not exceed 48 hours. Department offices involved in field inspection work (livestock and arable aid) normally give 48 hours notice of inspection.
It is not always possible because of the tasks involved in the disease eradication schemes to give any notice of visits as such notice could defeat the purpose of these visits.
In the case of the FDS, prior appointment is normally made with the farmer and a mutually acceptable day and time is agreed. It would be impractical to introduce a system of three days notice for spot check visits as the purpose of such visits is to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of schemes.
