Farm inspection yellow card scheme
Deputy Kenny called for the promised yellow card scheme so farmers could remedy issues after inspections instead of being punished immediately. The chair interjected playfully and the Tánaiste said he would ask the relevant Minister to reply on the date.
The matter I wish to raise relates to inspections that farmers must go through. Many farmers are the victims of farm inspections taking place around the country. In the programme for Government there is a commitment to introduce a "yellow card" scheme, which means that when a farm inspection is to take place, the farmer may be told of two or three problems that must be dealt with so they can be remedied before inspectors return a week or so afterwards. This week we had farmers from north Tipperary before a committee who feel they are the victim of overly zealous farm inspections. That is happening all over the country. Fair play as the yellow card scheme is in the programme for Government but we are nearly a year and a half into this Government's term and nothing has been done. When will the yellow card scheme be introduced for farm inspections, as it would relieve many of these matters?
