Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a huge issue, particularly in rural Ireland, concerning the eligibility of marginal land and commonage for direct EU payment.

There is an intensive and what I regard as an over-zealous inspection campaign being carried out by Department inspectors on, by and large, hillside, mountain and commonage land under the commonage framework plan. This inspection campaign is governed by unfair methods. There is a need for a method that is favourable towards farmers who are finding it very difficult to maintain an existence and a living on this marginal ground. In assessing their farming activity it must be carried out within the EU criteria laid down. Farmers have adered to their responsibilities diligently. Now the same Department is coming back to imposing very unfair penalties on farmers who have adhered to very good practice according to the letter of the law. They have been the custodians of the land and developed traditional farming methods during the years. They maintain stocking rates and take account of weather conditions to try to make a living and maintain the family land.

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