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Various routine farm inspections are to recommence in Northern Ireland, DAERA has confirmed.
In March, the department paused all routine checks on farms to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
This was reviewed at the end of April and most inspections remained suspended throughout May.
On Friday, DAERA announced that a further review has been undertaken and more inspections would recommence in the coming days.
This includes environmental farming scheme inspections and rapid field visits for the Basic Payment Scheme.
Cross compliance
Cross-compliance inspections will start again, including checks relating to rules on nitrates and phosphates, as well as wild birds and semi-natural habitats.
Inspections that still remain suspended included interviews for the 2020 young farmer scheme and routine brucellosis surveillance.
Earlier this week, it was announced that audits under the NI beef and lamb farm quality assurance scheme will resume from 8 June 2020.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has reminded farmers to maintain social distancing by keeping at least 2m away from any visitors on farms.
“We cannot afford to become relaxed and dismiss the social distancing advice which would undo all the fantastic work of our NHS health workers, essential key workers and those who stayed at home to help reduce the spread of the virus,” said UFU president Victor Chestnutt.
“We are making progress steadily and continuing to physically distance from others will ensure we keep moving in the right direction in the battle against COVID-19,” he added.
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