Spot inspections on farms under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) “does not paint the whole picture”, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) chair of the Organics Project Team, John Fitzpatrick.
After hearing reports of a farmer receiving a spot inspection, Fitzpatrick said he was only ever aware of inspections occurring after a notice period of at least 48 hours.
Inspections are undertaken annually for the purpose of checking compliance with the OFS commitments.
The notice period for inspections is generally two days as outlined in the Farmers’ Charter, however spot inspections can be performed annually on 10% of all organic licence holders.
Inspections are used unannounced in a scenario where “announcing them may interfere with the purpose or effectiveness of the inspection”, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Spot inspections
Fitzpatrick has said that an inspection with no notice is “unfair” and that “many farmers have to work another job as well as running the farm”.
“Anyone can be stuck, and act on emergency, which is not a true reflection of how they farm and does not paint the whole picture,” Fitzpatrick said.
One suckler and sheep farmer in the north east of the country is now facing a potential penalty after he received a spot inspection while being absent from the yard.
The farmer told Agriland that he had housed animals while under time pressure before weather warnings were set in place last week.
The farmer knew that snow was on the way, therefore housed his livestock, but did not have have sufficient time to ensure animals were penned properly and leave straw in the lieback.
The farmer had intended on doing these duties as soon as he finished his day job, however in the mean time received a phone call from the inspector who was already on his land.
While he was working, the farmer’s wife did spot the inspector crossing a gate on to his land and said that it seemed he was “videoing” around the farm. The farmer said he “never gave anyone permission to video”.
There was no written report left after the visit, but the inspector informed the farmer over the phone that a penalty would be issued.
The farmer said he has received yearly inspections since joining organics in 2015, but never had a spot inspection. He had already passed an organics inspection on his farm earlier in the year, where notice was given.
The farmer said he is “stressed” about the penalty and that it will “cause a lot of pressure” in the lead up to Christmas time.
The spot check inspection was delivered by a member of the Irish Organic Association, which holds a service contract with DAFM for the purposes of issuing organic certification.
If certain serious non-compliances are found then it is reported to the DAFM who may issue a penalty.
Non compliances that may attract a penalty are in the Catalogue of infringements – and all members are informed of this during organics training.
Organics
Fitzpatrick said he will be in contact with the organics body to discuss the “issues this is causing for farmers”.
“Farmers are working and under pressure. To have somebody on your land while your off at work is not fair,” Fitzpatrick said.
The Irish Organic Association said that spot check “must be unannounced, as required by the organic regulations”.
They may differ in that they focus on a specific aspect of the farm (or processing) enterprise, for example animal housing.
Similar to annual inspections, farmers are made aware that they must able to demonstrate that they are meeting he standards relevant to their farm enterprise during any spot checks.
All licence holders are given notice of their annual inspection. Spot checks however, must be unannounced, as required by the organic regulations.
Farmers then generally have 30 days to respond to any non-compliances, but more serious non-compliances may need to be addressed in a shorter time frame.