IFA Says Commission Proposals on Inspection Rates Must Go Further, but Calls for Early Implementation

IFA Deputy President Tim O’Leary has said the proposed reduced inspection rate from 5% to 1% announced by the EU Commission today is a welcome development but that more needs to be done to ensure that there is a greater flexibility in the interpretation of rules governing inspection.

Tim O’Leary said the Commission must go further and ensure that payments are not held up for the most spurious of reasons, as we are seeing this year when many farmers’ payments have been held up because of issues such as dual claims, over-claims, digitisation, etc.

The Deputy President said IFA will be raising the new simplification rules at the first meeting of the Charter Review Committee this Wednesday, and will be ensuring that they are taken on board and incorporated into the Charter, as was envisioned when the Charter was agreed this year.

More information:

Outcome of Council of Agriculture Ministers Meetings November 16

Statement from Commissioner Hogan to Agrculture Council November 16