Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed has officially announced a review of the current Agriculture Appeals Act.
The review is expected to be concluded by the end of this year.
In a statement, Creed said that the review was planned in the Programme for Partnership Government and that a Review Committee has been set up to carry out this proposal.
“The Programme for Partnership Government provided for a review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001, to ensure the independence and efficiency of the office in dealing with appeals from farmers.”
“In fulfilment of this undertaking, I have established a Review Committee to carry out the review and furnish its report, to include recommendations as regards the legislation governing and the future operation of the Agriculture Appeals Office,” Minister Creed said.
“In order to ensure that the review is as comprehensive as possible, consultation will take place with relevant stakeholders,” he continued.
Written submissions for consideration are also been taken by the Committee.
The closing date for receipt of such submissions is 5.30pm on Friday 6 October.
The Review Committee
The Review Committee is made up of Niamh O’Donoghue, former Secretary General, Department of Social Protection (Chair), Padraig Gibbons, former chairman of Connacht Gold and former President of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) and Paul Evans, former Principal Officer, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The inspections campaign
In July, Department Secretary General Aiden O’Driscoll appeared before a Joint Oireachtas Committee to answer questions on farm inspections.
The interrogation came after a long campaign by IFA Tipperary North Chairman Tim Cullinan to highlight the issue after it was revealed that the Nenagh office of the Department of Agriculture had the highest level of farm inspections and cross compliance penalties in Ireland.
IFA Tipperary North Chairman Tim Cullinan
Reservations
Speaking with the Irish Farmers Journal on Tuesday morning, Cullinan said that while he welcomed the commencement of the review, he had reservations.
“I welcome the fact that the process has begun, but I am disappointed that there is no representation from the largest farming organisation in the country [IFA].”
Cullinan also feels strongly about certain reforms that should be implemented.
“I believe that there should be an Independent Chairman on the appeals board as well as sufficient farm representatives.”
“Also, in the appeals process at the moment, if an inspector does not follow the correct procedures, this is overlooked during the appeal process and this is not good enough,” Cullinan concluded.