Farmers must have access to help

THE PLANNED cost-cutting programme by the Department of Agriculture must be tempered to ensure that farmers have adequate access to whatever assistance they require, says ICSA Rural Development Chairman Gabriel Gilmartin.

"While we recognise that the cuts are needed and that a staff of 4,500 is not sustainable, consideration must be given to the needs of individual farmers who need support in resolving difficulties", he says.

"Many farmers need to visit their local department offices, often urgently, to get permits, lodge applications for support schemes, if problems with TB occur or to resolve issues that arise from inspections. While some of these issues can be resolved online or over the phone, the nature of the problem often requires face-to-face contact.

"Moreover, a significant number of farmers can find all of these problems daunting and need the personal assistance of a Department staff member to help resolve the situation.

"While it may not be necessary to have a full compliment of staff, offices and resources, some form of access must be available in every county. Consideration could be given to the possibility of sharing offices with Teagasc where available.

"The ICSA believes that in the current economic circumstances staff levels cannot be maintained as they are. Scope exists to, perhaps, reduce the number of inspectors. However, the availability of staff is essential on a county by county basis if farmer compliance, disease control and EU funded schemes are to be maintained."