Farms greater than 10ha could be over 20% more likely to face conditionality inspection in 2024

Ireland’s CAP beneficiaries who are declaring greater than 10ha could be over 21.5pc more likely to undergo conditionality inspection as part of a new regulation from the European Commission.

The new rules state that those who are declaring 10ha or less are to be excluded from conditionality controls and penalties.

Department of Agriculture data shows that over the last three years, there is an average of approximately 20,000 beneficiaries declaring 10ha or less.

At least 1pc of CAP beneficiaries are selected for a conditionality inspection annually. Over 113,000 farmers have received funding under the new CAP Strategic Plan.

Depending on how the Department implements the new regulation, this could mean that the original 1pc (1,130) of overall farms will be inspected out of the remaining eligible 93,000 farms.

In other words, these 93,000 farms with greater than 10ha could now find themselves 21.5pc more likely to be inspected later this year.

The Department told the Farming Independent that it is examining the details of the proposals and can only confirm at this stage that those farmers who have 10ha or less will be exempt from conditionality controls and sanctions, but are still required to comply with national legislation and requirements.

​The new regulation is part of the Commission’s plan aimed at reducing the administrative burden on farmers, ensuring fair global competition and strengthening their position in the food supply chain.

The EU’s largest farm lobby group Copa and Cogeca raised concerns that the exemption of small farmers below 10ha from CAP inspections could create an unlevel playing field.

The EU said this change would significantly reduce the administrative burden related to controls for small farmers who represent 65pc of CAP beneficiaries.

Under conditionality inspection in Ireland, approximately 25pc of farmers are chosen on a random basis, while the other 75pc are chosen on a risk.

Farmers are informed of an inspection usually by telephone two days before the inspection takes place. Many inspections do not require the farmer to be present.

On this first call, a Department officer may request certain records be available ahead of the inspection.

The Department recently warned that a lot of non-compliances centre around how slurry, manure and soil water is stored on farms, along with how fertiliser is applied.

Reporting on:independent.ie