CONCERNS RAISED OVER GALWAY FARM INSPECTIONS
Galway Senator Lorraine Higgins has raised concerns regarding the way some farm inspections are being conducted.
The Labour Senator told the Seanad that she has received representations from farmers in Galway East who claim inspections have been carried out without giving prior notice.
She has called on the Minister for Agriculture to review the situation and says the governement must strive for better standards.
Speaking on behalf of Simon Coveney, Junior Minister John Perry told the Senator that farm inspections, are by definition at all times governed by the law and the ethics relating to their employment as public servants.
He added that the Department has invested and will continue to invest considerable resources in training the inspectorate to ensure that all objectives of a particular inspection are achieved while maintaining a positive engagement with farmers.