End Heavy-Handed Rigidity, says Allister
11 December 2007
Speaking in a debate in the European Parliament on a report on how cross-compliance has been implemented, Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister condemned "heavy-handed rigidity" by local Stormont officials and called for simplification and flexibility.
In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-
"Farmers are not unreasonable people, nor, are they dishonest. Yet, cross compliance treats many unfairly, with disproportionate penalties for minor offences. 68% of all cases of non-compliance are classified as minor, but the sanctions imposed are for struggling farmers often crippling.
Disparity in how cross-compliance is implemented from country to country compounds the resentments.
In Northern Ireland we have had a particular problem with "duplicate field" claims, arising from our conacre system. Instead of a pragmatic search for a solution, we've had heavy-handed rigidity. Much of the blame lies with the local Department of Agriculture, not Brussels, but each could have done more to resolve it.
So going forward, my plea is for simplification and a dose of good old common sense to replace the inflexibility of over zealous mandarins."
ENDS
