Michael Ring
Question:152 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he hopes to be able to allow farm inspections by Department officials again. [12454/01]
Written Answers - Departmental Inspections.
I am acutely aware of the pressures which have been building within the farming community as a result of continuing restrictions due to the FMD situation. A meeting took place on 30 April of the expert advisory group and its advice is that professional activities involving visits to farms or access to farmland, including the resumption of farm inspections by Department officials, may resume with effect from 11 May 2001, subject to compliance with detailed protocols to be drawn up. There will be two such protocols, one dealing with farm visits not involving contact with susceptible animals, e.g. some advisory visits, etc., and the other with visits which do involve contact with such animals, e.g. livestock inspections, etc.