All scheduled on-farm inspections due to be carried out in the next two weeks will not be going ahead, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

However, it will carry out inspections if it becomes aware of a risk to animal welfare, animal health, food safety, environmental damage, illegality or fraud.

“For example, the Department uses satellite imagery to check for illegal burning and it may be necessary to carry out follow-up ground inspections at any time if burning is detected,” a Department spokesperson said.

The Department said it may be necessary to resume inspections if their deferral is likely to affect payment deadlines.

Advisers and farmers continue to lodge BPS applications. As of Friday 27 March, almost 33,000 applications have been submitted, 5,000 ahead of last year. The Department does not see any change to the 15 May deadline.