Another inspection

frazzledhome

Begining to wonder if we're the best policed farm in the country at the moment?

Got word yesterday that we have another inspection on Tuesday. This will be our 3rd since Jan and 4th in 11 months. I did kick up a racket with the Dept in order to get my SFP, which despite all paper work being right wasn't paid till Jan 15.

I'm guessing that I'm being taught a lesson at this stage. I'm so used to it that I asked inspector to come on now when he phoned on Friday. I keep all paper work up to date in order to be ready for them.

It's getting to the stage that i don't actually give a phuck about them any more and view it as an annoyance more than anything else. I'll go through the motions politely on Tues showing paperwork and answering their questions, just finding it childish and time consuming

Anyone else in a similar boat or is this par for the course

td5man

Having one here most years for something.

ganmo

They might just know ya have everything in order so a handy day for them

Sure the dept wouldn't be vindictive would they?

KatW4

There has been one or two here each year for the past few years. Nothing as crazy as yours though.

Hope the inspection goes well, sounds like it will though

AP2014

You're probably one the biggest farmers in the country frazz so its good to see you inspected. Also great to see you have everything in order. 4 seems a bit much but 2 a year should be standard for our top producers.

Now bord bia and dept ag need market how much the industry is regulated and inspected!

Sam Kade

I had a board bia woman out last week to see what I'd have to do to comply she spent an hour going through the paper work in the middle of the yard even though she was invited into the house. She said it would take 10 mins and hour later I was frozen solid I could hardly move the following morning :mad:

Dawggone

Usually have 4 to 6 per year.

They are just out to show their power over you ( even though couldn't be more polite and helpful) and then it's also jobs for the boys.
Had a flash inspection two weeks ago when they came in unannounced and took cartilage samples for DNA testing. This was just to see if our breeding records are correct!
Money grabbing racket!

kay 9

The more of you in it the better when they come out. We always outnumber them and start complaining about farming, ffing and blinding and they don't tend to bother us. Having said that most of them seem ok tbh. Farming can be hard enough without their b****

howdee

Some times I wonder would I be best to give up my sfp and farm the way I want to. I have never had an inspection but I am in a derogation this year and I think that could be motive for one.

mf240

Electric gates and turn off phone.

rangler1

frazzledhome wrote: »

Begining to wonder if we're the best policed farm in the country at the moment?

Got word yesterday that we have another inspection on Tuesday. This will be our 3rd since Jan and 4th in 11 months. I did kick up a racket with the Dept in order to get my SFP, which despite all paper work being right wasn't paid till Jan 15.

I'm guessing that I'm being taught a lesson at this stage. I'm so used to it that I asked inspector to come on now when he phoned on Friday. I keep all paper work up to date in order to be ready for them.

It's getting to the stage that i don't actually give a phuck about them any more and view it as an annoyance more than anything else. I'll go through the motions politely on Tues showing paperwork and answering their questions, just finding it childish and time consuming

Anyone else in a similar boat or is this par for the course

sometimes they go where they know it'll be right.....did you ever notice what some people seem to get away with...most of those AOs don't want trouble either.
We wouldn't get many inspections, but often had the EU audits

degetme

had health and safety unannounced, local authority inspection 24hrs notice and bord bia for 4 hrs all in the space of 5 weeks

caseman

mf240 wrote: »

Electric gates and turn off phone.

And a nice friendly dog.

orm0nd

frazzledhome wrote: »

Begining to wonder if we're the best policed farm in the country at the moment?

Got word yesterday that we have another inspection on Tuesday. This will be our 3rd since Jan and 4th in 11 months. I did kick up a racket with the Dept in order to get my SFP, which despite all paper work being right wasn't paid till Jan 15.

I'm guessing that I'm being taught a lesson at this stage. I'm so used to it that I asked inspector to come on now when he phoned on Friday. I keep all paper work up to date in order to be ready for them.

It's getting to the stage that i don't actually give a phuck about them any more and view it as an annoyance more than anything else. I'll go through the motions politely on Tues showing paperwork and answering their questions, just finding it childish and time consuming

Anyone else in a similar boat or is this par for the course

went through a phase like that 1.5 to 2 years ago,

I blame my OH , the first blokes that arrived in unannounced for X compliance she gave them tart & cream and they must told the whole gang,

once she started giving tea and ginger nut biscuits the inspections stopped :D

Sam Kade

mf240 wrote: »

Electric gates and turn off phone.

Will the ee lectric gates stop them from jumping the ditch down the road
I had an inspection last year and the inspector was going to another man in the parish after me. The inspector said he rang him the evening before and when he said that he was from the department your man said I can't hear you I can't hear you then all he heard was beep beep beep He rang him that morning and surprise he wasn't answering his phone but the inspector was going to give him a visit either way.

whelan2

Sam Kade wrote: »

Will the ee lectric gates stop them from jumping the ditch down the road
I had an inspection last year and the inspector was going to another man in the parish after me. The inspector said he rang him the evening before and when he said that he was from the department your man said I can't hear you I can't hear you then all he heard was beep beep beep He rang him that morning and surprise he wasn't answering his phone but the inspector was going to give him a visit either way.

thats a very childish atitude surely the inspection would go ahead with or with out the farmer there?

Sam Kade

whelan2 wrote: »

thats a very childisn atitude surely the inspection would go ahead with or with out the farmer there?

Indeed, he hardly thought that the inspector would just forget about him if anything it would draw more attention to him.

blue5000

Sam Kade wrote: »

Will the ee lectric gates stop them from jumping the ditch down the road
I had an inspection last year and the inspector was going to another man in the parish after me. The inspector said he rang him the evening before and when he said that he was from the department your man said I can't hear you I can't hear you then all he heard was beep beep beep He rang him that morning and surprise he wasn't answering his phone but the inspector was going to give him a visit either way.

That lad probably needs treatment for 'Post traumatic stress disorder'

whelan2

blue5000 wrote: »

That lad probably needs treatment for 'Post traumatic stress disorder'

the inspector or the farmer

blue5000

Farmer, you hardly think I had any sympathy for the inspector?

dzer2

They rang here about 5 yrs ago I told him to come on away as I could go through the paperwork alright but was on crutches and couldn't do the walk with him. after the cup of tea and paperwork was done I sent him to the yard told him to close the gate after himself. About 20 secs after he was gone I thought of the dog never seen the inspector again:D:D:D

longgonesilver

dzer2 wrote: »

They rang here about 5 yrs ago I told him to come on away as I could go through the paperwork alright but was on crutches and couldn't do the walk with him. after the cup of tea and paperwork was done I sent him to the yard told him to close the gate after himself. About 20 secs after he was gone I thought of the dog never seen the inspector again:D:D:D

Did anyone ever come looking for him?

What did you do with his car?

blue5000

longgonesilver wrote: »

Did anyone ever come looking for him?

What did you do with his car?

Nearest tesco 24 hr carpark;)

dzer2

longgonesilver wrote: »

Did anyone ever come looking for him? Reckon he sh1t himself at the gate

What did you do with his car?

blue5000 wrote: »

Nearest tesco 24 hr carpark;)

I'm handy with a spray gun and there is always dd.

Sheep breeder

frazzledhome
just wondering what type of inspections you had this year already and what is this one??
quality assurance and healthy and safe are not carried out by the dept of ag.

frazzledhome

Sheep breeder wrote: »

frazzledhome
just wondering what type of inspections you had this year already and what is this one??
quality assurance and healthy and safe are not carried out by the dept of ag.

This is a medicine and calf inspection. I don't consider Bord Bia a dept inspection. I don't accompany the Bord Bia guy just deal with him in the office however I'll always accompany a Dept inspector.

Sheep breeder

frazzled home
what was the previous 3 inspctions in the last 11 months.

frazzledhome

Sheep breeder wrote: »

frazzled home
what was the previous 3 inspctions in the last 11 months.

1) Full x compliance took 2 guys 3 days, and me
2) Dept/Coco nitrates inspection 1 full day
3) Animal id, tags, cards etc 2 days

Not one non compliance issue found and Tues will be the same

frazzledhome

Guy just gone, sound and no problems. Clean bill of health. 2 hrs and 20 mins of my time wasted.

Checked a few calves and medical records along with scripts. Wasn't too forensic

frazzledhome

AP2014 wrote: »

You're probably one the biggest farmers in the country frazz so its good to see you inspected. Also great to see you have everything in order. 4 seems a bit much but 2 a year should be standard for our top producers.

Now bord bia and dept ag need market how much the industry is regulated and inspected!

Why do you think I should be inspected more than any other farmer?

Farm size shouldn't matter unless of course payments are attached to production

AP2014

frazzledhome wrote: »

Why do you think I should be inspected more than any other farmer?

Farm size shouldn't matter unless of course payments are attached to production

Never said you should be more than any other farmer. I think large producers and farm size is important though, like in any other industry if the big guys are acting the maggot it has major consequences. Seems yours were different inspections anyway which is fair enough as well and very thorough.

Also you have all in order which I think is a win win for all concerned.

I agree on anything over a couple hours is crazy. Surely 2 days is excessive and some sort of compensation has to be built in for your time unless they can do it without your assistance.

mahoney_j

AP2014 wrote: »

Never said you should be more than any other farmer. I think large producers and farm size is important though, like in any other industry if the big guys are acting the maggot it has major consequences. Seems yours were different inspections anyway which is fair enough as well and very thorough.

Also you have all in order which I think is a win win for all concerned.

I agree on anything over a couple hours is crazy. Surely 2 days is excessive and some sort of compensation has to be built in for your time unless they can do it without your assistance.

If a dept inspector is on my farm im his shadow
Never let him out of your sight

newholland mad

AP2014 wrote: »

You're probably one the biggest farmers in the country frazz so its good to see you inspected. Also great to see you have everything in order. 4 seems a bit much but 2 a year should be standard for our top producers.

Now bord bia and dept ag need market how much the industry is regulated and inspected!

That has to be the best statement you have came out with yet! what a load of rubbish, thered be some whineing from some on here if your 2 inspections a year happened to them never mind 4. Most big setups with substantial payments have everything on the button anyway (not saying the smaller guy hasnt)

frazzledhome

mahoney_j wrote: »

If a dept inspector is on my farm im his shadow
Never let him out of your sight

That's a tip I got from the first inspector ever here, never let them on their own for a second.

frazzledhome

AP2014 wrote: »

Never said you should be more than any other farmer. I think large producers and farm size is important though, like in any other industry if the big guys are acting the maggot it has major consequences. Seems yours were different inspections anyway which is fair enough as well and very thorough.

Also you have all in order which I think is a win win for all concerned.

I agree on anything over a couple hours is crazy. Surely 2 days is excessive and some sort of compensation has to be built in for your time unless they can do it without your assistance.

An inspection is a serious stress even in any business. However in farming it can be the difference between profit and loss. I lost 2.5 hrs today plus the office time double checking and printing paper work for him.

I always print med records and movements as I saves time

Sam Kade

frazzledhome wrote: »

That's a tip I got from the first inspector ever here, never let them on their own for a second.

Why did he say that? What would they do if they were left on their own?

frazzledhome

Sam Kade wrote: »

Why did he say that? What would they do if they were left on their own?

I've no idea why but I do it as its so important to my income. Saves a lot if bollixing with maps etc after they've finished. Also no harm to have your hand on the steering wheel as they go around iykwim

Sam Kade

frazzledhome wrote: »

I've no idea why but I do it as its so important to my income. Saves a lot if bollixing with maps etc after they've finished. Also no harm to have your hand on the steering wheel as they go around iykwim

Talking of having your hand on the steering wheel I know a man that was in reps and he got an inspection. They rang 2 days before and he was working flat out to get things ready, he was clearing the corner of a field and gave up at 4 in the morning the day of the inspection :eek: He hadn't the job fully completed so he tried to steer the inspector away from the corner of the field to no avail though as that is exactly where the inspector ended up. He left him off, just told him to finish it off

AP2014

frazzledhome wrote: »

An inspection is a serious stress even in any business. However in farming it can be the difference between profit and loss. I lost 2.5 hrs today plus the office time double checking and printing paper work for him.

I always print med records and movements as I saves time

No doubt it's stressful, I feel pressure when at a garda check point when I have all in order.

As I said surely they need to look at compensation for your time. Although we had auditors at work and wasted a day on me. Also get information for freedom of information request cost me a lot of time this year. Had to be done though.

AP2014

newholland mad wrote: »

That has to be the best statement you have came out with yet! what a load of rubbish, thered be some whineing from some on here if your 2 inspections a year happened to them never mind 4. Most big setups with substantial payments have everything on the button anyway (not saying the smaller guy hasnt)

What's wrong with it? We are producing food and should inspected and regulated big and small. These were different inspections. Yes stressful and time consuming on frazz. He had all in order though.

Lads can whine or not, big or small, 1,2 3, or 4 inspections. Other industries are inspected thank feck judging by some food inspections and the results.

newholland mad

AP2014 wrote: »

What's wrong with it? We are producing food and should inspected and regulated big and small. These were different inspections. Yes stressful and time consuming on frazz. He had all in order though.

Lads can whine or not, big or small, 1,2 3, or 4 inspections. Other industries are inspected thank feck judging by some food inspections and the results.

Yes but your joy at the larger farm getting multiple inspections smacks of begrudgery all over, actually very similar to most of the rest of your posts

AP2014

newholland mad wrote: »

Yes but your joy at the larger farm getting multiple inspections smacks of begrudgery all over, actually very similar to most of the rest of your posts

You are carrying the past with ya fella there is no joy I couldn't care less if its big or small get inspected. If ya read my post though and stop making assumptions ya will see I say bord bia and the dept of ag should be able to market the fact the big producers like frazz getting inspected and all in order. We should be bloody using this this to sell the industry not as a bad thing.

mahoney_j

AP2014 wrote: »

What's wrong with it? We are producing food and should inspected and regulated big and small. These were different inspections. Yes stressful and time consuming on frazz. He had all in order though.

Lads can whine or not, big or small, 1,2 3, or 4 inspections. Other industries are inspected thank feck judging by some food inspections and the results.

Worked in a lab for an American multinational for years ,inspections were common but a pile of ****e we knew days,weeks sometimes months in advance.the week or days before them were comical ,painters everywhere,contract cleaners in and all paperwork and records of calibrations brought up to date.farm inspections I've found much tougher due to the short time frame between notice and actual inspection and also the fact that inspectors around here anyway want to try and nail u for something even though u have done your best to have everything correct.as frazz points out it makes up a fair chunk of our income so it's a necessity evil ..1/2 hour a week will keep on top of most of the paperwork.and records

AP2014

mahoney_j wrote: »

Worked in a lab for an American multinational for years ,inspections were common but a pile of ****e we knew days,weeks sometimes months in advance.the week or days before them were comical ,painters everywhere,contract cleaners in and all paperwork and records of calibrations brought up to date.farm inspections I've found much tougher due to the short time frame between notice and actual inspection and also the fact that inspectors around here anyway want to try and nail u for something even though u have done your best to have everything correct.as frazz points out it makes up a fair chunk of our income so it's a necessity evil ..1/2 hour a week will keep on top of most of the paperwork.and records

Totally agree with everything ya said. We have the same things in work here where ya get a heads up on certain inspections, bloody comical waste of time. They are the ones that need to change though not the farm ones.

Inspectors trying to nail fellas is totally not on. They should be there to advise and get things in order as long as a fella isn't taking the p*ss. It is peoples living so that shouldn't be put in jeopardy by a thick headed inspector. All decisions should be open to appeal in a fair and transparent manner.

rangler1

frazzledhome wrote: »

That's a tip I got from the first inspector ever here, never let them on their own for a second.

If they don't need me I don't bother going with them.

KatyMac

Sam Kade wrote: »

Talking of having your hand on the steering wheel I know a man that was in reps and he got an inspection. They rang 2 days before and he was working flat out to get things ready, he was clearing the corner of a field and gave up at 4 in the morning the day of the inspection :eek: He hadn't the job fully completed so he tried to steer the inspector away from the corner of the field to no avail though as that is exactly where the inspector ended up. He left him off, just told him to finish it off

Happened like that to me a few years ago with a REPS inspection. Winter flood had taken half the riverside fence and I hadn't replaced it. Inspector stopped on the top of hill, looked at the map and said something like the field ends at the river and I agreed. He said there was no need to go any further down the field. If we have walked another few feet he would have seen (or not seen) the missing fence.

Sheep breeder

we have a friend in the midlands who is a dept inspector, some of the stories he would tell is unbelivable what fellas get up to and the animal welfare cases he has come across is serious.
as for the likes of him not understanding maps, farm, etc is stupid as he knows exactly how to do the job inside out and back to front as he is farming himself like nearly all inspectors and as he says he can read a farmer like a book after two minutes,
as for having all these inspections my answer is simple if ypu want the money comply, if you dont want the money dont send in the sps form,bord bia, reps etc nothing in this life is free it comes with a cost some where along the way,

frazzledhome

Sheep breeder wrote: »

we have a friend in the midlands who is a dept inspector, some of the stories he would tell is unbelivable what fellas get up to and the animal welfare cases he has come across is serious.
as for the likes of him not understanding maps, farm, etc is stupid as he knows exactly how to do the job inside out and back to front as he is farming himself like nearly all inspectors and as he says he can read a farmer like a book after two minutes,
as for having all these inspections my answer is simple if ypu want the money comply, if you dont want the money dont send in the sps form,bord bia, reps etc nothing in this life is free it comes with a cost some where along the way,

No prob here but I was only wondering is 4 in 11 mths excessive 5 if I inc Bord Bia.

I got 100% in Bord Bia and never found non compliant with Dept

Blackgrass

frazzledhome wrote: »

No prob here but I was only wondering is 4 in 11 mths excessive 5 if I inc Bord Bia.

I got 100% in Bord Bia and never found non compliant with Dept

-weights and measurements crowd on weighbridge and every 6 weeks or so due to having a commercial store of foodstuffs by assurance.
-Insurance assessor come to have a look at machinery in GWO check any loaders for GWO inparticular and at grain stores/work shop for safety signage and ppe/first aid stations.
-2 for cropping assurance schemes
-One for our Els and Hls schemes(environmental schemes like pollen strips in field corners/bird seed mixes etc
-One for x compliance
-Occasional services guys like water boards/gas/power lines
-Had 2 inspections last year for x compliance about 3 months apart as inspector was being inspected and wanted to go some where he would have much issues :rolleyes:, and he's a yearly quota with not enough farms in his 'area' these days to cover him in one pass so some get done twice :pac:

Most of the job is paperwork even with a secretary who does her husbands paperwork also for 4 days a week...

ganmo

Sheep breeder wrote: »

we have a friend in the midlands who is a dept inspector, some of the stories he would tell is unbelivable what fellas get up to and the animal welfare cases he has come across is serious.
as for the likes of him not understanding maps, farm, etc is stupid as he knows exactly how to do the job inside out and back to front as he is farming himself like nearly all inspectors and as he says he can read a farmer like a book after two minutes,
as for having all these inspections my answer is simple if ypu want the money comply, if you dont want the money dont send in the sps form,bord bia, reps etc nothing in this life is free it comes with a cost some where along the way,

So your friend has his mind made up that he's goin to find something to fine a farmer on in 2 minutes!
Please ask him to stay away from here thanks

AP2014

ganmo wrote: »

So your friend has his mind made up that he's goin to find something to fine a farmer on in 2 minutes!
Please ask him to stay away from here thanks

Ah ganmo I don't think he would fine him after 2 minutes, he said he could read him after 2 minutes. It's generally true, you sit on an interview board and it usually takes 2 minutes and your mind is nearly made up about a fella, its human nature.

Doesn't give an inspector a right to fine a fella unless he hasn't things in order. Just allows him identify the cowboys earlier, unfortunately which we all know there are a few out there.