Removal of Bureaucracy requires Action, not Words
17 May 2007
Jim Allister MEP has said farmers expect more than honey coated words if confidence in the Department to deliver on their behalf is to be achieved.
The MEP commented,
‘I am concerned at the new Minister’s recent comments that appear to lay the blame at the feet of farmers for creating their own delays in single farm payments being made. Many farmers are in contact with my office, exasperated at the hoops they must jump through to receive the payment to which they are entitled’.
He added,
‘I am further dismayed at the Minister’s apparent acceptance of increased cross compliance inspections in order to meet EU requirements. In fact, the European Commission has given the go ahead for a relaxation of rules in order to simplify the CAP, and I would urge her to implement this approach for the benefit of all as a matter of urgency.’
‘It is imperative that a sense of proportion for minor breaches is taken regarding the processing of applications. I also remind the Minister that the purpose of cross compliance inspections is not that farmers should be treated as potential fraudsters, but simply as a means of ensuring that public money is allocated to farmers for the public goods they deliver. I urge more meaningful action to be taken by the Minister to tackle the backlog of single farm payments still outstanding.’
