Tipperary County Council aiming for 350 farm inspections in 2025
Tipperary County Council has confirmed that it is planning to carry out some 350 farm inspections this year.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published the findings of an audit to assess the performance by the local authority of its statutory functions in relation to environmental protection.
The audit, carried out in mid-October, found Tipperary County Council met the required standard of a strong or excellent result for 75% of the National Enforcement Priorities (NEPs) in 2023.
The EPA said that this is a notable increase from 45% achieved in 2022. The national average was 71% in 2023.
Local authorities are expected to meet the required standard in 100% of the NEPs by the end of the 2022–2024 three year cycle.
The audit noted that Tipperary County Council had an assigned allocation of 250 agricultural inspections in 2024 under the National Agricultural Inspection Programme.
"145 inspections have been completed in 2024 and a high level of non-compliance has been observed. At most 200 inspections will be completed by the end of the year.
"Tipperary County Council are confident that will a full complement of staff assigned in this area, the target of 350 inspections in 2025 will be met," the report stated.
The EPA said that the council informed the audit team that they had a vacancy for an assistant scientist for the purpose of farm inspections.
The audit stated that interviews for that post had been held and the position had been offered to the successful candidate.
In a statement to Agriland, Tipperary County Council welcomed the EPA report and noted "the significant improvement in performance across many areas in the environmental management realm in an ever challenging and dynamic environment".
The council said that the vacancy for the position of assistant scientist was filled in December 2024.
The addition of the assistant scientist means the agricultural team in the local authority now has a full complement of staff.
The council said that the final figures for farm inspections completed in 2024 are currently being compiled and are due to be reported to the EPA at the end of February.
"The target of 250 was based on having the full complement of assistant scientists for 2024, which was not in place until December 2024," the council noted.
The non-compliance rate will be established once the complete inspection numbers for 2024 are compiled .
The council said that examples of non-compliances encountered on farms included inadequate management and storage of slurry, farmyard manure and soiled water.
"Actions taken are principally engagement with the landowner and if necessary include follow-up warning letters .
"Only if required and warranted are cross compliance notices issued to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and enforcement notices and legal action pursued .
"Tipperary County Council is aiming , based on a full complement of staff for the entire year, to reach the target of 350 inspections identified for 2025," it said.
