Creed defends Department inspections
There is a comprehensive review and appeal system in place for applicant farmers and others in the agricultural sector if they consider that inspections are not conducted in accordance with legislative requirements or if they are unhappy with the inspection findings, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine told the Dáil.
He was replying to Kilkenny Deputy John McGuinness who cited an example of how a vet in his constituency was being treated “like a criminal” by Department inspectors.
Controls by veterinary personnel and other departmental officials cover a broad range of areas including animal health, animal welfare, veterinary medicines, animal identification and registration, animal movement, fallen stock, animal by-products and public health, he said.
“Each of the inspections is carried out using standardised forms and reporting arrangements with a system of oversight by line managers, fulfilling requirements relating to EU or national legislation,” he said.
“Officials from the investigation division of my Department conduct a small number of investigations where serious non-compliance is suspected. At the end of the investigation, the evidence is assessed to determine if the matter is to be prosecuted. In such cases, a file is prepared and sent to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor for assessment and, if appropriate, the commencement of the prosecution process.”
In addition to compliance with EU and national legislation requirements on inspections, he said the Charter of Farmers’ Rights agreed between my Department and the various farming organisations sets out commitments relating to inspections.