Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy did not do so. I informed him that people received information in 2004 to 2006, inclusive. Teagasc, with which 99.9% of farmers are in contact, and the private consultants are providing the advisory service. It is hypocritical of the Deputy to suggest that we have not contacted, consulted or informed farmers. As stated earlier, I hope that, on foot of the consultations taking place, changes to the cross-compliance regime will be introduced this year. There is no doubt that further information will be made available to farmers.

It is important to place on record what is happening with regard to inspections. In 2004, there were 18,000 on-farm inspections. In 2006, the number fell to 7,500. This represents a reduction of 58%. In 2004, 6,493 farmers were penalised for breaches of the rules on identification and registration of bovine animals. In 2006, 1,163 farmers were so penalised. The latter represents a reduction of 82%. There has, as promised, been a massive reduction in the number of inspections carried out under this regime. The most striking statistic is that one third of the farms inspected in 2004 had problems with identification and registration and a similar number of farms visited in 2006 had the same problem. The real difficulties relate to identification and they have been with us for a considerable period. In my opinion, our energies would be best spent dealing with the issue of identification as opposed to engaging in pontification. That is where I see the solution to dealing with this issue.

On the issue of the 14 days' notice, as I have indicated it is my intention to spearhead the provision of advance notice. I agree that there is no need in a decoupled period for there to be no notification. That is part of my agenda and that of the Presidency. As I indicated, this matter is now with the Commission. I have had, and am gaining, much support for what we want to achieve.

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