Farmers can request a three-week delay to on-farm inspections if they have COVID-19-related concerns or issues.

Minster for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue clarified the issue in response to a parliamentary question from Independent Roscommon/Galway TD Denis Naughten.

Despite concerns raised by Naughten around inspectors visiting farms during Level 5 restrictions, the Minister insisted that inspections would still go ahead as they were deemed “essential work”.

Remote inspections

“Where possible, inspections are being done remotely, thereby avoiding the need for on-farm visits, but in certain situations, a farm visit is required in order to complete the pre-payment checks and controls necessary to make vital payments to these farmers,” the Minister said.

“All inspections are notified in advance and the farmer is afforded an opportunity to defer the inspection for up to three weeks should there be COVID-related concerns or issues.”

Pressure to proceed

However, Naughten said that he had been contacted by many farmers about the issue and said some were in high-risk categories and felt under pressure to proceed with inspections or assist inspectors for fear of a negative report if they refused.

IFA north Tipperary chair Imelda Walsh has also separately raised the issue and said she was contacted by farmers who were concerned about on-farm inspections during the pandemic.

The Minister emphasised the point that all inspections were done in line with HSE guidance.