Nicholson calls for more flexibility from Dept of Agriculture on Cross Compliance
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has urged the Department of Agriculture to be more flexible with farmers when it comes to minor breaches of cross – compliance guidelines for Single Farm Payments and to use derogations from EU regulations that are available to them.
Mr Nicholson’s comments come on the back of the publication of a report by EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel into cross compliance.
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“We have seen too many farmers in Northern Ireland in recent times being penalised unfairly by DARD for doing something, whether it was beyond their control or simply an honest mistake. Quite clearly in these situations the Department are not using the derogations from EU regulations they have available to them and in many cases are making life difficult for the farmer. Almost every week I receive complaints from farmers about DARD’s heavy handed approach
“This week in Brussels, the European Commission has sent signals in a report into cross compliance of increased flexibility towards farmers who commit minor breaches of cross – compliance guidelines for Single Farm Payments.
“There is no reason why DARD cannot follow suit and adopt a more flexible position.”