Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Given the previous submissions I have made in this House with regard to farm inspections, I note with interest that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently producing a charter of rights for farmers. I am disappointed that we have not been given an opportunity to make statements on this issue given that I, in particular, have brought up a number of issues that were brought to my attention by farmers in Galway east who have been subjected to inspections. These concerned how they have been treated and breaches of procedure and rules in terms of natural and constitutional justice.

I feel this charter is window-dressing to try to sort out the problem. It will achieve nothing and certainly will not deal with the situation. The farm inspection process should be put on a statutory footing if we are to give real rights to farmers. Simply giving guidelines rather than introducing laws is toothless. Boundaries have to be created within which everyone - farmers and inspectors - know what is and is not acceptable behaviour and practice. On that basis, I call for a debate in the House on the formulation and introduction of rules, legislation and procedures for farm inspections.