Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue is being urged to move forward with establishing an independent appeals panel for farmers.
An independent review of the Department of Agriculture’s appeals system was carried and published in December 2017, three years ago next month. It included a recommendation to establish an appeals panel with an independent chairperson and farmer representation.
Speaking today (Wednesday, November 11), Brian Rushe, the deputy president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), highlighted that the Programme for Government contained a commitment to establish the panel, and that action “was needed to make it happen”.
Farmers do not perceive the current appeals office to be sufficiently independent.
“While we don’t agree with everything in the review, it was widely acknowledged as being a step forward and yet it continues to sit on the shelf,” Rushe argued.
He said that the review of the appeals system was carried out in response to “genuine concerns” about the system.
The review “recognised the need for change, making several significant recommendations,” the IFA deputy president added.
The minister must ensure that the independent agriculture appeals review panel with farmer representation is established and the recommendations of the [review] committee are implemented without delay.
“Farmers can then have confidence in the appeals system, and that their cases will be dealt with fairly, impartially and efficiently,” Rushe concluded.
TAMS tranche 20 extended to mid-January
In other department-related news today, Tranche 20 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), which opens for applications this Saturday (November 14), will remain open until mid-January.
Minister McConalogue has announced that the closing date for tranche 20 will be extended beyond the original close date of December 31.
The reason for the extension, according to the minister, is that the original closing date falls over the Christmas period, which may increase delays for farmers filling out applications.