Vol. 512 No. 5
35 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will ensure that notification for the inspection of animals under the beef premia and suckler cow schemes issues two full working days in advance rather than the present 48 hour rule operated by his Department which covers all seven days of the week and often leads to serious problems when post arrives late on a Friday afternoon. [26497/99]
The position is that the EU regulations governing the integrated administration and control system require that on-the-spot checks should be unannounced. However, the regulations also provide that advance warning limited to the strict minimum necessary may be given and that as a general rule this should not exceed 48 hours.
During the recent negotiations on changes to the integrated administration and control system in the context of Agenda 2000 Ireland sought to have the maximum notice time changed from 48 hours to 96 hours particularly in the light of the introduction of the computerised movement monitoring system for bovine animals. The European Commission, however, was not prepared to accede to this request. In the light of the Commission's response my Department has no option but to operate the notification requirements as specified in the regulations.
