Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 4

Written Answers. - Livestock Inspections.

Billy Timmins

Question:

171 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a significant number of farmers were selected for inspections under the various premium schemes just days prior to the due payment date of 16 October 2002; the proposals he has to prevent a reoccurrence of this problem where producers are being inspected long after the necessary retention periods have elapsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/02]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In 2002 there has been a move away from application driven inspections to producer inspections which means that all cattle scheme applications – suckler cow premium, special beef premium, slaughter premium and extensification premium declarations – are being examined at the same inspection visit. This will have the effect of reducing the overall number of cattle inspections from 24,000 annually to about 7,000.

Under the new EU rules it is a requirement to ensure that at least 5% of applications are inspected inside retention for one scheme. In Ireland this requirement will be fulfilled under the sucker cow premium scheme. Inspections have been carried out on a regular basis since the beginning of the summer. The application period for the special beef premium scheme runs for the calendar year and this means my Department must continue to carry out inspections on an ongoing basis.