The Big Dealer: UK to clampdown on jiggery-pokery

Followers of Brexit will know that there are to be no checks on goods crossing the Irish border and no checks on shipments moving from Northern Ireland to Britain.

Amid concerns about the potential for smuggling, a UK government minister has said “market surveillance and intelligence” will ensure that Northern Ireland is not a backdoor into the British market.

“If we did see someone who was attempting any sort of jiggery-pokery, it would rapidly become apparent,” Michael Gove told MPs last week.

He gave the example of a “low loader with BMWs” moving from the Republic of Ireland through Northern Ireland and into Britain.

“We have both the surveillance and the enforcement authorities necessary to deal with any abuse of that kind,” Gove maintained.

I see that Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has been called into Longford District Court – and it’s not for jury duty.

Instead, he’s been invited by judge Seamus Hughes to explain his Department’s response to fears of how a rising cohort of “rogue farmers” are undermining Ireland’s beef industry for financial gain.

The case relates to a farmer who allegedly got medication for cattle without the required prescription.

Department vet Louis O’Riordan told the court that such incidences were becoming more difficult to detect due to government cutbacks: “I think there is an absence of political will. In my view, it’s a case of don’t look, don’t find,” he said.

The judge took exception to this and invited Creed to court to explain the issue.

A European Parliament report on links between the Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Agrofert, one of the country’s largest CAP recipients, caught my eye this week.

MEPs voted to overhaul the country’s farm payments, saying they were designed to favour the private interests of Babiš, who benefits from subsides received by Agrofert.

The report’s author, German MEP Monika Hohlmeier, said if there was a conflict of interest, then Babiš should give up control of any company benefiting from subsidies, or cease receiving them.

I’m sure all farmers would welcome more transparency around who ultimately ends up benefiting from farm supports.

Nearly two weeks after the IFA announced a number of high profile staff would be taking early retirement from the association, I see it has put a call out for some new recruits.

First up, it’s looking to hire a director of policy/chief economist.

Essentially, the role will involve all the work of a chief economist, plus the responsibility of leading and co-ordinating policy.

The IFA is also looking to hire a beef and sheep executive and a dairy executive. Each will be responsible for reporting on markets and trends, along with developing policy initiatives.

They will report to the new director of policy/chief economist. I’ll be interested to see who applies.

The Dealer had a bit of a chuckle when he was perusing the latest top 10 downloads of free reference apps for mobile phones.

The recently launched Irish Farmers Journal Martbids app sits at number eight, just two places behind – you’ve guessed it – the bible!

The app has been downloaded by over 18,000 people since its launch. With rain arriving in the last few days and the mart trade heating up, I wonder if the bible can be overtaken?

I’m told that there are some shed painters touting for business using the Irish Farmers Journal name and logo.

This happens every year and, at the risk of sounding repetitive, I can assure readers that the Irish Farmers Journal is not associated with and does not endorse any shed painting companies or individuals.

Like any service supplier, shed painters should be checked out and asked to provide solid references before any work or payment is agreed. Caveat emptor – buyer beware.

News this week that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has warned parents off feeding dairy alternatives to children under five was music to The Dealer’s ears.

It said almond, coconut and rice drinks are “nutritionally inadequate” for children under five.

I’m sure Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the NDC, will be adding the report to her arsenal in the fight against dairy substitutes.

I see Eoin Lowry, formerly of this parish, has started his new role as head of agriculture at Bank of Ireland. Lowry was agribusiness editor at this newspaper before he made the jump into banking.

He is also a past president of the Agricultural Science Association and Irish Fertilizer Marketing Association.

The Dealer will be keeping an eye on the Laois tillage farmer to see how he gets on.