Brendan Griffin
Question:391. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43765/23]
View answerTuesday, 10 October 2023
Questions (391)
Written answers
My Department is very aware of the risks from Covid-19 and of the concerns of farmers in relation to it. My Department demonstrated this by initially discontinuing routine inspections on 27 March 2020, following the announcement of Government restrictions and only resuming these inspections on a phased basis in the weeks and months after this, in line with Government guidelines. Inspections are necessary to allow farm payments to be processed in a timely manner and so that my Department could meet its regulatory and audit requirements. In 2020 these inspections were undertaken under specific Department inspection Covid-19 protocols and all farm payment type inspections were announced, whereas in the past a cohort were conducted unannounced.
Farmers are required to meet regulatory and scheme requirements to ensure they receive their full scheme payments that they apply for. Where there are findings of non-compliance, my Department applies a penalty system on a proportionate basis. In addition, applicants consent to my Department carrying out on-farm inspections and the sanction for a refusal of an inspection is nil payment.
A very limited number of farm inspections for Schemes are refused by the applicant annually. It is important to note that the Covid-19 inspection protocols provided that, where an applicant was not happy for the inspection to proceed due to Covid-19, the inspection could be deferred for three weeks. In 2020, of the inspections refused by the applicant, approximately one third of farmers cited Covid-19 as a reason for refusing the inspection.
My Department however provides a review mechanism for decisions to be reviewed. Furthermore, if following an unsuccessful review, farmers still have the right of appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.