Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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33. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure consistency with regard to on-farm inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25841/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development Measures, my Department is required to carry out an annual round of inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and to ensure compliance with Cross Compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation, and the standards for Good Agricultural Environmental Condition (GAEC), in the areas of public, animal and plant health, environment and animal welfare. The basis for these inspections is governed by EU legislation and there are certain minimum numbers and types of inspections that must be conducted each year.

These inspections are a necessary requirement in order to draw down approximately €1.6 billion of EU funds annually and to avoid EU disallowances. The inspections are subject to repeated audits by the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office and this ensures an independent verification that inspections are conducted in full compliance with the legal requirements.

My Department continuously reviews the inspection process to take account of changes in the governing regulations and also to reflect comments and findings contained in the various audit reports. Inspecting officers in my Department are regularly trained in inspection procedures, with a process of continuous oversight by supervisors and random verification inspections to ensure a consistent approach.

In addition, the Inspection Unit participates fully at various meetings and workshops organised by the European Commission, where Commission experts and experts from other EU member states share their knowledge. In this way the Inspection Unit has and continues to build up extensive corporate knowledge on inspection requirements. This ensures that the EU regulatory requirements are being fully met and also that the training of the inspecting officers on inspection procedures is kept up-to-date.

A comprehensive appeal mechanism is also in place in order to protect the interests of famers who have difficulties with the inspection findings or who consider that the inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements. This appeal system incorporates the option for a farmer to initially seek to have the inspection outcome reviewed internally by an officer more senior than the inspecting officer. Where the farmer remains dissatisfied, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and ultimately to the Office of the Ombudsman.