More and more farmers feel that they have no protections when dealing with the Department, the ICSA has reported.
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The Department of Agriculture of has hit back at Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) claims that a growing number of farmers are contacting the association to voice discontent with treatment received from Department officials conducting inspections.
ICSA president Seán McNamara stated this week that farmers feel they have “no voice and no protection when faced with what they perceive as disproportionate or overly harsh” Department officials.
“The fear is very real. Farmers are afraid to speak up because they know the Department has the power to issue penalty on top of penalty – or even take away their ability to farm altogether,” McNamara said.
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A Department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that “contrary to the ICSA statement, farmers have significant courses of appeal when issues arise including a transparent, independent and documented appeals process”.
The Department said the independently chaired Farmers’ Charter Monitoring Committee gives farming organisations the opportunity to raise queries on its officials’ conduct and that this committee agreed the inspection regime with the Department.
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The Department of Agriculture of has hit back at Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) claims that a growing number of farmers are contacting the association to voice discontent with treatment received from Department officials conducting inspections.
ICSA president Seán McNamara stated this week that farmers feel they have “no voice and no protection when faced with what they perceive as disproportionate or overly harsh” Department officials.
“The fear is very real. Farmers are afraid to speak up because they know the Department has the power to issue penalty on top of penalty – or even take away their ability to farm altogether,” McNamara said.
A Department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that “contrary to the ICSA statement, farmers have significant courses of appeal when issues arise including a transparent, independent and documented appeals process”.
The Department said the independently chaired Farmers’ Charter Monitoring Committee gives farming organisations the opportunity to raise queries on its officials’ conduct and that this committee agreed the inspection regime with the Department.
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