Future satellite inspections will leave farmers “in a very vulnerable position”, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has said.

In the coming years, satellite imagery will be captured of the whole island every five days and is a requirement in the next CAP.

“While recognising and accepting the requirement for inspections there also needs to be recognition by EU officials and [Department] staff that these inspections are also very stressful for farmers.

“This has not been helped by a deliberately slow review and appeals system that has often left farmers waiting years for any resolution,” it said.

It also leaves farmers in a vulnerable position with regard to personal grievances

“While the proposed imagery will have a pixel size of 10m, the expectation is that this will increase. As imagery improves so will the implications for farmers in terms of farm, family and personal security.

“It also leaves farmers in a vulnerable position with regard to personal grievances and could become the ultimate cranks charter,” the INHFA said.

The INHFA has also cited concerns for others living in rural areas who are not farming and asks if the Department has the IT capability to screen out non-farming property.

“If they don’t then surely that undermines a person’s right to privacy,” the farm organisation said.