Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will issue farmers with a copy of her Department's inspection checklist on cross compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21508/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's inspection checklist on cross-compliance is an internal checklist for use by Department Inspectors and it is not a document for completion by the farmer. This checklist has been reviewed as part of the full review my Department carried out on the inspection arrangements for the Single Payment Scheme with a view to simplification of the arrangements (including paperwork) where possible while, at the same time, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements.

The inspection checklist has been made available to the farming organisations and is also freely available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie under the heading 'Cross-compliance'. The review of the checklist together with the outcome of the Commission's review of the cross-compliance arrangements generally, has been fully discussed with the farming organisations in advance of the commencement of the inspections for 2007.

In addition, my Department recently published a leaflet entitled "What to expect if you are selected for an inspection under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas' Compensatory Allowance Scheme" a copy of which was posted to every herd owner in the country. That leaflet is also available on my Department's website.