Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1334: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farm inspections conducted in 2006; the number of farmers that have been penalised as a result of those inspections; the amount of moneys stopped for non-compliance during this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1422/07]

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

The position is that my Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition.

A minimum of 5% of Single Payment Scheme applicants is required to be inspected under the eligibility rule. These checks are carried out to verify that the actual area claimed in the Single Payment Scheme application form corresponds to the area held by the farmer and to ensure there are no overlapping claims, or duplicate claims. These checks are also designed to confirm that the lands declared for set-aside purposes are maintained in accordance with the provisions of the EU Regulations and that the set-aside obligations are observed.They are also used to verify that the land used to draw down entitlements does not contain land used for fruit and vegetable production, land used for potatoes or land in forestry or other permanent crops in the year of application for the Single Payment. Up to two-thirds of these inspections are carried out without a farm visit and using the technique of remote sensing.

The rate of on-farm inspection required for cross-compliance is 1% of those farmers to whom the Statutory Management Requirements (including the Nitrates Directive) or Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition apply. However at least 5% of producers must be inspected under the Bovine Animal Identification and Registration requirements as this level is prescribed under the relevant Regulations.

For the 2006 Single Payment Scheme there were a total of 7514 on farm inspections. Breaches found during Cross Compliance Inspections resulted in a total of €706,203.38 being stopped in penalties. This represents just .05% of Ireland's national ceiling of €1.3 billion.