To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people are qualified to (a) lead farm inspections and (b) be part of farm inspection teams which are employed by (i) his Department and (ii) the Environment Agency. (130035)

The Rural Payments Agency Inspectorate has around 200 inspectors who are fully competent to conduct farm inspections solo or as part of a team.

In England, Environment Agency officers generally undertake cross-compliance inspections alone (that is, not part of a ‘team’). The number of officers trained and competent to undertake cross-compliance inspections in England is in the order of 150.

In Wales, inspections are normally lead by the Rural Inspectorate Wales and the Environment Agency Wales has about 25 officers trained and competent to undertake inspections.