Inspections
Amy Forde on 13 Oct 2021
Pig farm wins court battle against EPA
The judge noted that measuring odour was stated by the EPA to be via a subjective sniff test.
Amy Forde on 06 Oct 2021
River plan calls for more inspections, fertiliser cuts
New measures are required to reduce the loss of fertilisers and soil from farmland into water, according to the River Basin Management Plan for 2022 to 2027.
Peter McCann on 06 Oct 2021
Cattle tags cause 75% of penalties
There were no fines issued by DAERA for half of the 20 different categories of cross compliance regulations.
Amy Forde on 22 Sep 2021
Almost 1,000 farmers hit with tagging penalties in 2020
Common cross compliance breaches related to animals missing tags, animals not tagged with 20 days of birth or animals missing both ear tags.
Amy Forde on 22 Sep 2021
Drop in water quality inspections due to COVID-19
The Department availed of a derogation last year which allowed it to carry out a reduced number of inspections under EU law due to the pandemic.
Peter McCann on 08 Sep 2021
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Weekly round-up of news from the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
Noel Bardon on 16 Aug 2021
80% of food pesticide residue breaches were non-Irish in origin
The Department’s 2020 annual report has provided figures on the combined findings of all food quality, fertiliser and feedstuff inspections for last year.
Rachel Moriarty on 21 Jul 2021
Resumption of Kerry Bog Pony inspections widely welcomed
Two separate Kerry Bog Pony inspections have taken place recently.
Amy Forde on 17 Jul 2021
Livestock and machinery the focus of HSA farm inspections this year
The HSA plans to carry out 10,000 inspections in total across all industries, including farming, this year.
Noel Bardon on 10 Jul 2021
Farm safety inspections almost halved in 2020
Farm safety inspections and investigations are running substantially below pre-pandemic levels, as resources are diverted to COVID-19 efforts.
Noel Bardon on 07 Jul 2021
One carcase grading machine found inaccurate in 2021
The Minister for Agriculture has stated that Department inspectors have reported only one instance where an automated carcase grading machine was found to have been operating inaccurately.
Barry Cassidy on 06 Jul 2021
Agriculture accounts for largest number of workplace fatalities
Agriculture continues to experience a high number of workplace fatalities, with 20 people losing their lives in 2020.
Niall Hurson on 30 Jun 2021
More than half of all septic tanks fail inspection
A staggering 23% of systems inspected were a risk to human health or the environment.
Niall Hurson on 29 Jun 2021
Department to introduce satellite inspections for protein scheme applicants
The Department has said that the use of satellite data will have significant benefits for farmers.
Barry Cassidy on 25 Jun 2021
Farmers face tougher cross compliance rules in next CAP
There will be new rules on the protection of peatlands, establishment of buffer strips, crop rotation and non-productive set-aside areas in the next CAP.
Darren Carty on 19 May 2021
Sheep identification second highest cause of cross compliance penalties
Tagging issues were responsible for 68% of non-compliances, with the remaining 32% related to issues with recording and maintenance of the flock register.
Peter McCann on 19 May 2021
HMRC ramping up tax inspections
Significant investment has been put into the computer system which is used to collect information for tax calculations, known as HMRC Connect.
on 12 May 2021
Getting ready for Bord Bia audit
Bord Bia explains the main issues that arise in a Bord Bia audit and what do farmers have to do to be in compliance.
Niall Hurson on 12 May 2021
Quad training and helmets to become mandatory for all
Loss of control or overturning of the unit generally results in the operator being thrown at force from the quad, placing the operator at risk of a severe head injury.
Matt Dempsey on 28 Apr 2021
Home Farm: auditing virtually
The list is exhaustive but most of the work can as far as I can see has be done with a good smart phone.