Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is permitted to carry out farm inspections when farmers are "locked up" owing to the TB eradication scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4791/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In the context of delivering the Basic Payment Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, and other area based schemes, my Department is required to carry out annual inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure compliance with EU regulatory requirements, in the areas of the environment, climate change and good agricultural condition of land and also in the areas of public, animal and plant health and animal welfare. These inspections are mandatory and there are certain minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually. In that regard Inspectors are permitted to carry out inspections when farmers are “locked up” owing to the TB eradication scheme.