Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting what is a very important Commencement matter on the farmers' charter of rights. I thank the Minister of State for coming here to respond. I also thank the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, ICMSA, which, in the past half hour has launched its election guide, which contains questions for farmers and major producers to ask candidates as they come into their farmyards and kitchens. It is a very good document and I encourage people to read it. I also thank the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, for its Manifesto for European Parliament and Local Government Elections 2024, in which it sets out its asks very comprehensively. That is what it should be doing because it is a representative body. I commend both the IFA and the ICMSA on their work.

Today, I wish to advocate in respect of specific commitments relating the farmers' charter of rights, which is for farmers and key producers. It is something that is really important and that needs to happen. The Government was committed to it. I know we have a rolling charter, but the time has now come for a new charter.The success of a new farmers' charter will require trust and confidence on all sides. It will also require guarantees and procedures for fairness and transparency that are clearly understood and embedded in the text. That is what I would ask for, that transparency and fairness and all that is embedded in the text of a customers' charter, which is a commitment. It is, in my view, a guarantee from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and farmers and major producers. They have worked hard on it. I know it has been stopping and starting and there have been setbacks. However, I understand it is back on track.

What am I asking for regarding this charter today? I am asking for a focus. I want guarantees around the delivery of services and schemes for farmers and producers from the Department. I am asking for assurances that decisions and payments will be made in a timely manner because this has not happened and the Minister of State would be aware of that. If we are agreeing the procedures around schemes and systems, we need to understand the expectation in terms of the premium and when it will be delivered. I am talking about accurate timelines.

We need a strong commitment to meaningful engagement on all consultation with farming producers, organisations and their representative bodies. We need a simplification of the information of the data sharing. We have talked a lot, as I know the Minister of State has, and fully understand the implications of simplification, particularly around the European Green Deal. The Green Deal was to encourage and have more simplification, as opposed to complexities, and there are issues around that.

We need guarantees for fast and efficient appeals procedures for applicants if unsuccessful in a scheme or if penalised by some scheme. There has to be that fast process of engagement in terms of procedures. We need to fast track all appeals and decisions made by the Department, if necessary. We need greater consistency and transparency in all dealings with the Department to ensure confidence and this goes two ways. I refer to the respect and the conduct of farmers and primary producers and the Department. It is a two-way process. Agricultural inspectors and officials are entitled to be afforded the same courtesy and respect as farmers and producers would expect. We need clear processes around the complaints, reviews and appeals procedures.

Finally, I raise the point, and the Minister of State would be aware of this as a farmer representing a farm community, of cross-compliance. There are huge issues regarding cross-compliance inspections. There are issues about the notice. No notice is required for a farm visit under the EU rules on cross-compliance and this is an issue we need to address. However, we need fairness. The key here is fairness and transparency. I wish to see an early roll-out of the new farmers' charter, which farmers and producers expect to see too.