Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1076. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on putting on hold all non-emergency farm inspections by his Department in view of the fact that the fodder crisis is putting undue pressure on farmers and a farm inspection will only add to this pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15772/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require my Department to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with scheme eligibility criteria and Cross Compliance requirements. These inspections are mandatory and there are minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually. In the case of scheme eligibility inspections, the inspection must be completed before payments under the schemes can be finalised and issued to applicants.
All of my Department's inspecting officers are very experienced and fully aware of the difficulties being encountered by farmers due to the adverse weather conditions and the fodder issues. Each inspected case will have all factors, including the poor weather conditions, taken into account when arriving at any decision on the outcome of an inspection.
Inspecting Officers are fully trained to maintain a positive engagement with farmers and also to take account of any situation where it is evident that a farmer may be under stress. Every effort is made by inspecting officers to minimise this and to ensure that a reasonable approach is maintained.
