The bodies who oversee the various inspections that NI farmers are subject to, have taken different approaches to recommencing on-farm checks.

The Red Tractor quality assurance scheme, which includes the dairy, poultry and pig sectors in NI, is pursuing its plans for “remote assessments” conducted via video call.

On enquiry, a spokesperson for Red Tractor confirmed that the first live streamed assessments have been done on NI farms. While the emphasis is currently on using technology to conduct checks, the spokesperson said that they are also looking at how they can safely re-introduce physical on-farm audits.

DAERA checks

DAERA has taken a phased approach to restarting its routine checks after they were suspended in March to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The suspension was reviewed at the end of April and most inspections remained on hold throughout May.

Last Friday, the department announced that inspections would recommence in the coming days. This includes Environmental Farming Scheme inspections and rapid field visits for the Basic Payment Scheme. Cross-compliance inspections are also starting again, including checks relating to rules on nitrates and phosphates.

Only some routine checks by DAERA staff still remain suspended, such as brucellosis surveillance and interviews for the 2020 Young Farmer Scheme.

FQAS

Last week, the industry board that oversees the NI Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) announced that on-farm inspections are to resume from 8 June 2020 with a new protocol for social distancing.

Remote assessments, which are similar to the Red Tractor approach, are also available for FQAS participants who are shielding from coronavirus.

However, the decision to re-start FQAS inspections has drawn criticism from various NI farm groups, including NIAPA, Farmers for Action and the National Beef Association. They have written to the LMC to outline their “grave concern” and pointed out that FQAS inspections are not an essential service at this time.

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