The Irish Farmers’ Association has criticised the inspections which farmers must allow as part of the new EU subsidy system.
The association is also demanding that a new single annual cheque be paid in October rather than December as proposed.
Farmers will continue to get €1.3 billion annually from the EU. But the IFA is complaining that the Department of Agriculture is now rowing back on earlier commitments about 'simplification' and 'freedom to farm'.
The association says it is not prepared to accept additional red tape regarding farm inspections.
IFA President John Dillon said farmers are demanding advance notification of inspections, reasonable tolerance levels which take account of normal farming practices, and on-farm visits to be carried out by a single Control Authority.
Mr Dillon said that through the efficient use of satellite technology and computerisation, the whole eligibility issue could be dealt with in the Department of Agriculture offices without the waste and inconvenience of farm visits and checks.
He was speaking at a meeting between IFA and the department in Abbeyleix about the Charter of Rights Protocol.
