IFA Calls for Review of All Department of Agriculture Penalty Files Following Court Judgement

Farm Inspections

IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy has called on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to instruct his Department to review all files of farmers where penalties have been imposed, following the recent High Court case, which found the inspection of land was not done under the procedures outlined in the Charter of Farmers’ Rights.

Richard Kennedy said that farmers expect to be treated fairly in all inspections and it is important that procedures are fully adhered to. The worrying aspect of this case is that the farmer had to go to Court to get his rights upheld. This is despite the fact that the case had already been heard and adjudicated on by the Agricultural Appeals office in Portlaoise.

The IFA Deputy President said it is now important that all similar cases are reviewed so that fair procedure can be assessed.

Furthermore, IFA is now calling for the recent Charter of Farmers Rights document, agreed in 2015, to be sent to all farmers as was promised by the then Minister. This document informs farmers of their rights when an inspection takes place on their farm and also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture.

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