Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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1195. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancies between single farm payment penalties across the different counties; if he will detail the reasons for same; his views on whether this discrepancy is fair on farmers; if his attention has been drawn to the pressure and distress inspections are placing on farmers; the steps being taken to equalise the penalties across the various counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37930/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes, my Department 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 Scheme applicants are required to be inspected under the eligibility rule. These checks are carried out to verify that the actual area claimed in the application form corresponds to the area held by the farmer and to ensure there are no overlapping claims or duplicate claims. 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 or GAEC apply. However, at least 3% of producers must be inspected under the Bovine and Ovine Animal Identification and Registration requirements.

Candidates for these inspections are identified either by risk analysis or as part of a random sample and the inspections must be carried out to a minimum level and specification.

While I am aware of the various pressures farmers face on a daily basis I would point out that in implementing the regime, inspectors in my Department take the maximum possible account of the realities of farming and of impacts of particular events, such as prevailing weather conditions. In addition, my Department makes every effort to integrate the various inspections with a view to avoiding more than one visit to a farm.

Furthermore all Department officers receive ongoing training on inspection requirements and in the manner of conducting an inspection. There is also a comprehensive appeal system in place for applicants who are unhappy with the inspection findings or who wish to have any aspect of the inspection reconsidered. As is normal, the incidence of breaches will vary by region and by county. There are many reasons for this variation including type of farming enterprises, risk factors applicable, inspection history, land topography, and whether the applicant has sought advice or attended a farm advisory course on aspects of the single payment cross compliance requirements.