IFA Call on Minister Coveney to Honour His Commitment and Show Flexibility on Inspections
IFA Deputy President Eddie Downey has called on the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to immediately honour his commitment and send an instruction to all Department of Agriculture inspectors to show compassion and flexibility on inspections, in line with the public commitment the Minister made last week.
On the Pat Kenny RTE Radio 1 show last week, in response to a question on inspections, Minister Coveney stated very clearly that âa clear instruction had been given to all farm inspectors to essentially back off for the next couple of weeksâ in the context of the severe fodder and weather crisis.
He said despite what the Minister said publicly, it appears he has issued no instruction to any inspectors on the ground in this regard.
Meanwhile, the IFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy has called on the Minister to show flexibility on the stocking rate criteria for Disadvantage Areas payments in 2013. Due to the fodder and income crisis, some farmers will have real difficultly in purchasing some stock this year and flexibility is required.