Written answers

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Farmers Charter

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is hoped to have the farmers' Charter of Rights published; the legal standing of such a Charter of Rights; the progress in discussions with the farm organisations concerning it; the reason for the delay in publishing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18462/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Farmers’ Charter Review Group is chaired by an Assistant Secretary General from my Department and comprises senior Department officials and representatives of the main farming organisations. The aim of the Review Group is to agree standards and delivery targets for the schemes and services, including on-farm inspections, provided by my Department to all its clients including farmers. These standards and targets form the basis of the Farmers Charter. The relevant national and EU legislation are the legal instruments governing the various schemes and services. The Charter is effectively an agreement drawn up between the parties, which must fully respect and operate within these legal requirements.

Negotiations on the new Farmers’ Charter are at an advanced stage. However, there are a number of areas that require further discussion. My Department is endeavouring to achieve consensus with representatives of the main farmer representative organisations on these outstanding issues.

As you will be aware, a round of CAP Information meetings took place in the early part of the year throughout the country. These important meetings required the involvement of key officials from my Department and consequently progress in negotiations on the Farmers’ Charter was delayed somewhat. Furthermore, progress has also been slow due to difficulties in reaching agreement with the main farming organisations in certain areas but my Department remains hopeful that agreement can be reached on the outstanding issues and will immediately move to publish the Farmers’ Charter upon the achievement of consensus.

Upon finalisation of the new Farmers’ Charter, a Charter Monitoring Committee will be established under an independent chair to monitor agreed targets and standards.

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