The Irish Farmers Journal understands that its recent reporting has caused concern within the Department of Agriculture, with some staff raising fears that the exposure of individual cases of alleged misconduct is reflecting badly on their profession as a whole.

This is expected to increase pressure on management to deal with farmers’ complaints more diligently.

One of the farmer’s who came to this newspaper with a case of alleged bullying has received a response from the Department.

Letter

In the letter seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, the Department refutes all allegations of misconduct by their inspector, however they acknowledge that an incorrect penalty was applied.

An IFA delegation led by deputy president Richard Kennedy is due to meet senior Department officials this Friday to discuss farmers’ complaints over the way some inspections are conducted. Following recent Irish Farmers Journal reports on allegations of misconduct on the part of two inspectors, the IFA will again call for a confidential complaints line that would allow farmers to report breaches of standards in confidence.

Department drags heels on alleged bullying complaints

Heat rises on 'rogue' inspectors

Inspector complaints not going away

Internal and external pressure continues to build on the Department of Agriculture to deal with allegations of inappropriate conduct by farm inspectors more efficiently.