Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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1194. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide figures for the number of Tipperary farmers notified in advance of a single farm payment on farm inspection, as required by the Charter of Rights drawn up with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37929/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes, 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.

Rules regarding the advance notification of inspections are clearly laid down in the governing EU regulations and must be adhered to by officials in my Department. Up to 14 days notice for land eligibility and cross-compliance inspections involving SMRs other than those related to animal identification and registration, food, feed, and animal welfare. For checks involving cattle identification and registration the maximum advance notice is 48 hours provided my officials are satisfied that the purpose of the inspection is not jeopardised. For SMRs dealing with feed, food and animal welfare no advance notice may be given. These notification procedures are in accordance with those outlined in my Department’s Farmers’ Charter and Action Plan.

To date for 2013 there have been 470 inspections carried out on the ground in County Tipperary and of these 424 or 90% received prior notice of the inspection.