Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his Department must step up efforts to deal with the small number of “rogue” inspectors who are abusing their power, IFA president Joe Healy has said.
Recent reporting by this newspaper showed serious allegations of officials’ misconduct signalled to the Department by several farmers had not resulted in action. “This needs to change and the Department needs to take the issue seriously,” Healy said. The IFA has suggested a helpline where farmers can make complaints in confidence, allowing the Department to monitor patterns of behaviour by individual inspectors.
Listen to "Creed on Brexit, CAP and bullying allegations" on Spreaker.
Minister Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal “there are systems within the Department to deal with cases where farmers feel aggrieved. Farmers need to step forward and make a complaint, and the Department will be rigorous in its investigation.”
When a dispute concerns an inspection outcome, he urged farmers to use all options available – reviews, appeals and Ombudsman complaints. He added that 37% of appeals were successful last year. However, according to Healy, farmers are afraid to complain about inspectors for fear of drawing more inspections upon themselves, and subsequent penalties.
Data from the Agriculture Appeals Office shows that 2017 was the first year in the past decade when the majority of farmers’ appeals were disallowed. The National Reserve and BDGP drove more numerous, but less successful farmers’ appeals against Department decisions. A February report recommending the introduction of an independent appeals review panel has not yet been implemented.
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Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his Department must step up efforts to deal with the small number of “rogue” inspectors who are abusing their power, IFA president Joe Healy has said.
Recent reporting by this newspaper showed serious allegations of officials’ misconduct signalled to the Department by several farmers had not resulted in action. “This needs to change and the Department needs to take the issue seriously,” Healy said. The IFA has suggested a helpline where farmers can make complaints in confidence, allowing the Department to monitor patterns of behaviour by individual inspectors.
Listen to "Creed on Brexit, CAP and bullying allegations" on Spreaker.
Minister Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal “there are systems within the Department to deal with cases where farmers feel aggrieved. Farmers need to step forward and make a complaint, and the Department will be rigorous in its investigation.”
When a dispute concerns an inspection outcome, he urged farmers to use all options available – reviews, appeals and Ombudsman complaints. He added that 37% of appeals were successful last year. However, according to Healy, farmers are afraid to complain about inspectors for fear of drawing more inspections upon themselves, and subsequent penalties.
Data from the Agriculture Appeals Office shows that 2017 was the first year in the past decade when the majority of farmers’ appeals were disallowed. The National Reserve and BDGP drove more numerous, but less successful farmers’ appeals against Department decisions. A February report recommending the introduction of an independent appeals review panel has not yet been implemented.
Read more
Farmers call for action on bullying allegations
'I cried for two nights': farmers in fear of Department 'bully'
‘Foul-mouthed bully’ – farmer allegations against second inspector
Deane slams Department 'incompetence' over 'corrupt' official
No action after alleged entitlements irregularities by Department official
BDGP, GLAS and National Reserve drive farmers' appeals
Ombudsman upholds farmer's €27,000 complaint
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