Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. As the Minister is aware, the issue of cross-compliance, inspections and so forth resonates deeply with the agricultural community, which sometimes considers itself to be dealt with unfairly. Statements have been made to the effect that the selections are random. However, I have been approached by farmers, who undoubtedly also have been in contact with the Minister, who have been inspected under REPS, cross-compliance and the single farm payment year after year. Some farmers who have been involved in REPS for the past ten years have stated they have been subject to inspection almost every year. Is there a category within the Department that zones in on a particular group of farmers or an individual farmer for any reason? In addition, Members are regularly told by the farming community that cross-compliance checks are much stricter here than in other countries. It would be important at least to conduct an analysis of how such cross-compliance checks are carried out in other member states, as well as in Ireland. Perhaps such analysis could then be brought before the Oireachtas.

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