Ferris calls for 2 weeks' notice of farm inspections

[green]

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=MHAUGBQLAUSN

Following in the footsteps of FF and FG, Sinn Féin's Agriculture spokesman, Martin Ferris, has called for the implementation of 14-day advance warning farm inspections to be made a "priority" before the election.

This is another retrograde environmental move by SF, in the wake of their opposition to the recent Sea Fisheries Bill (which FG and Labour also opposed). It might also affect those present farmers who are actually fulfilling their legal obligations wrt pollution and nitrates, and who could face public cynicism about this in the future because of the misdeeds of the lazy/criminal element in the farming community who evidently couldn't give a toss about the effect these actions might have on the rest of us or on their future livelihoods.

Wonder how this will go down in Galway West?

Related thread here. Good to see not all SFers support this policy.

[green]

Bump.

No Shinners willing to defend this? Can't say I'm surprised.

[qtman]

Bump.

No Shinners willing to defend this? Can't say I'm surprised.

The IFA have been meeting candidates all around the country over the last week. SF have obviously had their cards marked.

BTW:

I had started a thread on this 2 weeks ago, condemning FF/FG for making commitments to the IFA on this matter, and I was supported by ROC.

[Bobb]

This 14 day notice period sounds like a splendid idea to me.
With 14 days to get it together we could have 21st century equivalent of the threshings of old or a mormon barn erection.
It would lead to a strenghtening of rural ties and sense of community.
All the neighbouring farmers and families could descend on the place on the day nice and early, with their pajeros and trailers (to act as effective and convenient albeit temporary waste storage facilities).
After a brief but industrious once over, the yard would be bedecked with bunting and tables sagging under trays of sandwiches and beverages both alcoholic and otherwise. Then the community would stand back and await the arrival of the inspector. The likeliehood of a good report or otherwise would be weighed by old chaws in low murmuring groups scattered around the periphery of the assembly whilst the comely maidens shooed unruly children away from the pristine array of buns, trifles and coffee cake in centrestage.
It would be understood by all that the man from the department would be perfectly within his rights to fail the farmer were he to be presented with a gross breach of the EU directive which failure to report could have possible disciplinary implications for the inspector. However it would be equally understood that other failures on the part of the farmer could missed so long as it appeared that a reasonable effort had been made to tidy the yard and most importantly of all that a decent spread had been laid on for the gathering at which the inspector was to be the guest of honour.
Upon his arrival, certain necessary formalities would have to be dealt with.
The slurry pit would have to be viewed. Cue the inspector, 25 farmers at his shoulder, ascend the ramp to somberely pay homage to 100,000 tonnes of sh1t laid out before him like whathisname surveying the pacific. Then it would be about face and swiftly back to the swept and hosed yard to formally declare the jamboree open, amidst cheering and barking.
After an evening of conspicious consumption and refreshment, the inspector would declare that the environment was secure so long as Ireland produced sons of the soil such as those he had been privileged to pass the last brief few hours among and then it would be back to town with him chauffered in his own car by the abstemious bean an fheirm followed by her nervous but relieved widowed provisional licensed mother in law in the jeep. The single farm payment was secure for another year. It had been hard work but it was worth it. Her celebration was yet to come and would be more low key, maybe she'd have a sherry. Decent people.

[meriwether]

The above is one of the finer posts resembling 'humour' in a long time.