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Some 106 appeals have been submitted to the Agricultural Appeals Office in 2018 by farmers who are dissatisfied with inspection decisions made by Department of Agriculture officials.
The figure was revealed by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil deputy Eamon Scanlon.
A total of 638 appeals were received in 2017 compared with 598 in 2016
The number for the first quarter of 2018, is lower than the number submitted in 2016 and 2017, but there has been a year-on-year increase in the number of total appeals submitted in the two previous years.
“A total of 638 appeals were received in 2017 compared with 598 in 2016, an increase of 6.7%,” Minister Creed told the Dáil.
“In 2018 the number of agricultural appeals received at the end of quarter one were 106, this is lower than the number received in quarter one of 2017 and quarter one of 2016.
“In 2015, a total of 21 requests for reviews of appeals officers’ decisions were received by the appeals office.”
I’m satisfied that it works pretty well but no organisation is beyond review
Deputy Scanlon asked Minister Creed if additional staff would be allocated to the appeals office given the increase in appeals submitted.
“The agricultural reviews office was restructured in 2017 and two additional staff were assigned to the office,” Minister Creed responded.
“We do keep the level of staff required there under constant review to see if it’s fit for purpose and I’m satisfied that it works pretty well but no organisation is beyond review.”
The Agricultural Appeals Office was established in 2002 and is an independent entity from the Department of Agriculture.
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