ICMSA propose 20 ‘paperwork’ simplifications that would make a real positive difference for farmers

ICMSA has proposed 20 simplifications to farmer ‘paperwork’ that they maintain would make a real difference for farmers.  The Association’s President, Denis Drennan, said that the onus was now on the regulators and politicians to either introduce the suggested changes or else to explain precisely why all involved had to continue with a paperwork load that despite numerous undertakings to simplify was actually becoming ever more unusable, unwieldy and counter-productive.

“If the Government is unable or – much more likely- unwilling to make these absolutely straightforward and logical changes then we need to hear them explain why”, said Mr Drennan.

“They’ll try and fob us off by citing ‘this’ legislation or ‘that’ Directives as the reason why these genuine simplification measures can’t happen. But the regulators are going to need to get past this circular argument where they cite bureaucracy to justify bureaucracy; we have to stop this piling up useless documentation within Government departments that’s there at an enormous cost to everyone else”, commented Mr Drennan. 

The ICMSA President challenged anyone to explain why the objectives of the various regulations would be compromised by the following 20 changes that would, at a stroke, greatly lessen the paperwork burden on farmers.

1. Remove the requirement to keep the ‘Blue Sheet’ to be retained for animals removed to knackeries.  Records could move to hand-held device like being used by vets for TB testing.
2. Remove requirement for Dairy Herd Cert where animals tested for TB once a year.
3. Some farmers – not all – would prefer a paperless system and the Department should facilitate those farmers who want to go paperless and use email/text only. Those farmers who want to go ‘paperless’ should be allowed to do so immediately.
4. Remove FCI form for animals going to meat plants. 
5. Written permit should not be required for TB reactors; they are being collected by a designated Dept collector, so why the need?
6. The Department generally do not use email in corresponding with farmers and they should start using it where a farmer agrees. It would represent a substantial saving in printing and postage and be more convenient.
7. All payment made to farmers should be confirmed with a text message/email (where agreement has been given by the farmer) stating what scheme the payment relates to and what year?   This would eliminate the postage of annual statements.
8. Tick box for roll-over of applications, eg: BISS, Nitrates Derogation.  If the details are the same as last year, then simply tick a box and submit. The amount of time and money being wasted on ‘roll-over’ applications is ridiculous and should be addressed.
9. Usage data should only be required to be recorded for Vet Meds and remove Recording Withdrawal Periods, etc. Where a farmer has an online or printed receipt of same, this should suffice rather than having to record manually. Farmers are astute and familiar enough in relation to withdrawal periods and forcing them to record them is just ridiculous.
10. Dairy cow banding declaration should be on agfood and should be done automatically based on Co-op data providing the annual or Three-year option.   A farmer should be allowed to amend it at any time to take account of feeds used, etc.  A farmer should not have to make an annual declaration.
11. Where a farmer is restricted with TB or BVD, a farmer should receive the relevant compensation automatically without having to submit supporting documentation. The Dept already are aware of the restriction’s/reactor removal so why the need for superfluous supporting documentation? 
12. All TB documentation should be available on agfood rather than having to physically post some requirements.
13. The unnecessarily legalistic tone of Dept letters needs to be addressed.   Farmers in some cases receive legalistic and vaguely threatening letters from the Department when a phone call could resolve many of these matters before any letter issues. Legalistic letters should only be issued where all other avenues have been exhausted.
14. Dual claims or matters where farmers are required to give name of other person claiming: Having to submit supporting documentation is ridiculous when a matter could be resolved relatively quickly in many cases.
15. All penalty letters from inspections should be issued within three months of the inspection date and the inspection process finalised within six months. It is unfair that farmers receive penalty letters years after the inspection.
16. All schemes should be available for application within a given year during the period of 15^th of February to 15^th of May regardless of their starting date during the year. Saves time and money for farmer and agri consultant. 
17. For livestock schemes, your participation should be continuous without having to make new applications yearly – unless you select otherwise not to be a part of the scheme. 
18. Recommissioning of the Calf Registration App. This was an example of the way forward; an excellent initiative by the Department that should be re-introduced. 
19. The TAMS application process should be simplified with the whole process centralised similar to BISS applications. This is necessary to reduce the levels of correspondence required between farmers and the Department.
20. The requirement to keep feed purchase records should be removed and an annual statement should suffice.

“Simplification has to be one of the most abused words in the Agriculture Dictionary. Whoever else has seen it or believes it to be a reality, it certainly isn’t the farmers. Their experience is the opposite; things becoming more and more cumbersome and long-winded. The above 20 proposals are practical, reasonable and ICMSA does not believe they will compromise regulation, in any way.  We need to hear the Minister and his Department either announce a timeline for their introduction or explain – in blunt understandable form – why they prefer the present crazily over-complex system to any real reform and why they would privilege the accumulation of more and more useless data over the easing of a really burdensome paperwork load on farmers”, concluded Mr Drennan.

ENDS       2 November 2026

Denis Drennan
President, ICMSA

Or

Cathal MacCarthy
ICMSA Press Office