Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1220: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the problems being created by the limited warning being given to farmers for farm inspections in view of the fact that such a high percentage of farmers have been forced into off farm employment and they are expected to give reasonable notice to their employers to get time off; if she will ensure that this situation is rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30141/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Insofar as inspections under the Single Payment Scheme are concerned, EU regulations provide that on-farm inspections should be unannounced. However, prior notification may be given where the purpose of the inspection is not jeopardized. Such prior notification must be limited to a maximum 48 hours where land eligibility or cross-compliance on the identification and registration of animals is part of the inspection.

The policy of my Department has been to give the maximum 48 hours notice of inspections under the Single Payment Scheme. However, following clarification received recently from the European Commission that systematic prior notification of all on-farm inspections is not acceptable and is in breach of EU Regulations, my Department has had to change the inspection regime and to include a number of unannounced inspections. My Department will continue to press the Commission on the matter of advance notification of inspections in line with the commitments in the Charter of Rights for Farmers.