Introducing penalties for poor
flock records and markings
26. On those aspects where there is discretion to
apply penalties, such as poor flock records and markings, the
Department has no penalty system. In making the policy decision
in 1997, the Department estimated that a strict enforcement of
rules on proper flock record-keeping would result in some 50%
of cases being penalised. It decided not to enforce the rules
on flock records right away, but to 'toughen-up' the following
year. However, this toughening-up never materialised.[25]
27. The Department has stated that, provided the
correct numbers of sheep are present at inspection, it has no
authority to reduce the payment of premium, irrespective of the
poor standard of flock records and markings. When this Committee
looked at the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme in England, we recommended
a separate system of graduated penalties for shortcomings in flock
records. We are in no doubt that the introduction of a similar
system in Northern Ireland would go a long way to raising the
overall standards.[26]
28. We are keen that recommendations which we make
for England are translated across to Northern Ireland. However,
this has not been happening as effectively as it should have been.
While we expect the Department of Finance and Personnel to play
a pivotal role, the process would be enhanced if Northern Ireland
departments were to liaise closely with their GB counterparts,
not just on matters of policy, but also on Public Accounts Committee
reports.[27]
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