A committee has been set up by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to review the Agricultural Appeals Act 2001.

The three-member committee consists of chair Niamh O’Donoghue, a former secretary general of the Department of Social Protection; Padraig Gibbons, former chair of Connacht Gold and former president of ICOS; and Paud Evans, former principal officer in the Department of Agriculture.

Tim Cullinan, chair of Tipperary North IFA, expressed disappointment that there was no farm organisation representative on the review committee itself.

The campaign by farmers in his area on inspections and appeals has focused intense scrutiny on the upcoming review.

IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy welcomed the commencement of the review and said that it must be meaningful.

He said that following the review, the new Agricultural Appeals Office must have an independent chair and also farmer representation. It must also facilitate an extension of the yellow card system for farmers, he said.

Minister Creed said that to ensure that the review would be as comprehensive as possible, consultation will take place with relevant stakeholders. Written submissions for consideration by the committee can be submitted by email or by post by Friday 6 October, he said.

He said that the committee would carry out the review and prepare a report for him by the end of this year.

It would include recommendations on the legislation governing, and future operation of, the Agricultural Appeals Office.

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