Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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145. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure farm inspections are scheduled with at least two weeks' notice, avoid inspections during the lambing period, and consider conducting inspections during shearing from mid-June to mid-July or ramming from mid-September to early November to minimise disruption for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25733/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the various Schemes my Department administers, on-farm Inspections are a requirement of the EU Regulations and the terms and conditions. The inspection approach and reporting system used is standardised across all areas of the country to ensure consistency and fair treatment of all farmers.

In relation to providing notice for on-farm inspections, as agreed in the Farmers’ Charter of Rights with the farm bodies, all inspections will, in the main, be announced. However, where giving such notice interferes with the purpose or effectiveness of the control no notice is given. The level of notice given is generally two days. However, in duly justified cases additional notice may be given but limited to the minimum necessary. This may particularly be the case for inspections involving hill sheep flocks.

Regarding inspections involving sheep, my Department takes account of the circumstances and follows agreed protocols with the farming bodies in relation to penning at lambing time.

I can assure the Deputy that in relation to carrying out inspections in hill sheep areas, my Department will endeavour to take account of the timing of inspections relative to when sheep move to and from the hills, provide adequate notice and tolerances to take account of the unique circumstances in the hill areas while at the same time endeavouring to complete the necessary inspections to ensure that farmers receive their payments on time.