Prepare for farm inspections and audits

Who inspects farms and why

Several regulatory bodies have powers to inspect farms in England. Each has different responsibilities and approaches to enforcement.

What triggers an inspection

You may be selected for inspection through several routes:

Risk-based targeting

Regulators use risk assessment to focus resources where problems are most likely. Factors that increase your risk score include:

• Previous compliance failures or warnings
• Size and complexity of your operation
• Type of livestock or crops (some carry higher disease or environmental risks)
• Location in high-risk areas (e.g., high-risk TB areas, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones)
• Recent scheme applications or changes to your holding

Random selection

A proportion of inspections are random to ensure even coverage. EU state aid rules previously required minimum inspection rates - post-Brexit, regulators have more flexibility but random selection continues.

Complaint-driven

Reports from neighbours, members of the public, or supply chain partners can trigger inspections. Common complaints include:

• Animal welfare concerns (thin animals, inadequate shelter, poor conditions)
• Pollution incidents (slurry spreading near watercourses, burning waste)
• Noise or odour nuisance
• Suspected disease (dead animals, unusual symptoms)

Follow-up inspections

If a previous inspection identified issues requiring correction, you should expect a follow-up visit to verify improvements. These are typically announced with reasonable notice.

Records inspectors commonly ask to see

Having your records organised and accessible is the single most important thing you can do to prepare. Inspectors will typically ask to see:

Livestock records

• Holding register: All animals on the holding, births, deaths, movements in and out
• Movement documents: Cattle passports, sheep/goat movement documents, pig eAML2s
• Medicine records: Veterinary medicines administered, withdrawal periods, batch numbers
• Vet visit records: Annual health and welfare reviews, TB test results, vaccination certificates
• Feed records: What you feed livestock, especially any medicated feeds

Arable and environmental records

• Spray records: Every pesticide application - date, field, product, dose, operator, weather
• Fertiliser records: Applications of manufactured fertiliser and organic manures
• Nutrient management plan: Particularly important in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
• Soil test results: Evidence of regular soil testing (at least every 5 years)
• Sprayer test certificate: NSTS test within 5 years of purchase (new equipment), then every 3 years
• Operator certificates: PA1/PA2 or equivalent for pesticide application

Scheme-specific records

• SFI/Countryside Stewardship agreements: What you committed to do
• Evidence of compliance: Photos of hedgerow management, soil cover, buffer strips
• Receipts and invoices: For capital items funded by grants

Preparing before an inspection arrives

Many inspections are announced in advance (often with around 48 hours' notice), but some (particularly disease-related) may be unannounced. Good ongoing preparation means you're always ready.

Your rights during an inspection

Inspectors have significant powers, but you also have rights. Understanding both helps inspections run smoothly.

Right to see identification

Always ask to see official identification before allowing anyone onto your holding. Legitimate inspectors will have photo ID and a warrant card or letter of authority. If in doubt, call the agency directly to verify (use a number you look up, not one the visitor provides).

Right to have someone present

You can ask to have another person present during the inspection - a family member, farm manager, or adviser. This is particularly valuable if complex issues arise. However, you cannot unreasonably delay an inspection by insisting someone unavailable must attend.

Right to ask questions

You can and should ask inspectors to explain:

• What they are inspecting and under what powers
• What records or areas they need to see
• How long the inspection is expected to take
• What happens next after they complete the inspection

Right to receive a report

Inspectors should provide or send you a written report of their findings. This should include any issues identified, actions required, and timescales for correction. Keep this report - you may need it if you want to appeal findings.

Limits on inspector powers

Inspectors generally cannot:

• Enter your home without permission (farmyard and working buildings are different)
• Take items away without providing a receipt
• Detain you or prevent you leaving
• Pressure you into making statements under caution without explaining your rights

If an inspector is investigating a potential criminal offence, different rules apply. In this case, you should consider seeking legal advice before making any statements.

What happens if issues are found

The outcome of finding non-compliance depends on the seriousness of the issue and the regulatory body involved.

Advice-led approach (RPA)

Since cross-compliance ended on 31 December 2023, the RPA has adopted an advice-led approach for scheme compliance:

• Minor issues: Verbal or written advice on how to correct, with opportunity to self-rectify
• Moderate issues: Written warning with specific actions and deadline to comply
• Repeated or serious issues: Recovery of payments for the affected actions under your scheme agreement terms
• Intentional or persistent breaches: Agreement termination and potential exclusion from schemes

The RPA reduced complaints by 95% (from 57 in 2018 to 3 in 2022) through this reformed approach. The emphasis is on helping farmers get things right, not penalising minor mistakes.

Statutory enforcement (APHA, Environment Agency)

For animal health and environmental matters, regulators have less discretion:

• Animal diseases: Statutory notices requiring immediate action (e.g., movement restrictions, testing, culling)
• Environmental breaches: Warning letters, formal cautions, or prosecution depending on severity
• Welfare concerns: Improvement notices with specific timescales, or immediate action if animals are suffering

The Environment Agency is expanding its farm inspection programme - around 4,545 inspections in the last reported year, rising to 6,000 a year by 2029 after inspection funding was doubled in July 2025.

Appealing inspection findings

If you disagree with inspection findings, you can:

• Raise concerns directly with the inspector or their supervisor
• Request a review through the agency's complaints procedure
• For scheme payment reductions, use the formal appeals process
• Seek advice from NFU, CLA, or solicitors with agricultural expertise

Keep detailed notes of the inspection, including what was said, what was checked, and any photographs taken. This evidence is essential if you later wish to challenge findings.

Building a good compliance track record

A consistently good compliance record can reduce your inspection frequency. Regulators apply risk-based targeting, meaning farms with good track records are inspected less often.

How track record affects inspections

• RPA: Good performers may be moved to lighter-touch monitoring
• APHA: Consistent negative TB tests and good biosecurity can influence test intervals
• Farm assurance: Members with good audit history may qualify for reduced audit frequency

Practical steps to build a good record

• Fix any issues identified in previous inspections promptly and thoroughly
• Keep records complete and up to date throughout the year, not just before inspections
• Report problems early (disease outbreaks, pollution incidents) - regulators view proactive reporting favourably
• Engage with advice services (Catchment Sensitive Farming, vet health plans) to prevent issues arising
• Consider joining assurance schemes - they provide regular external checks that help maintain standards

Scheme conditions and baseline rules

If you receive payments under SFI, Countryside Stewardship, or other agri-environment schemes, you must meet the terms of your scheme agreement. All farms must also meet the baseline legal requirements that apply regardless of scheme membership. Inspections may check compliance with both.

Farm assurance audits

Farm assurance audits (Red Tractor, LEAF Marque, Quality Meat Scotland, Soil Association, etc.) are separate from regulatory inspections. They serve commercial rather than statutory purposes.

Key differences from regulatory inspections

• Voluntary: You choose to join assurance schemes (though market access may require it)
• Contractual: You agree to meet scheme standards as a condition of membership
• Commercial sanctions: Failures result in loss of certification, not prosecution
• Often more frequent: Annual or biennial audits are common, versus risk-based regulatory visits

Benefits of farm assurance

• Regular external review helps maintain standards and identify issues early
• Demonstrates commitment to quality and welfare to buyers
• Market access - most supermarkets require Red Tractor or equivalent
• Good assurance audits strengthen your position with regulatory inspectors

Audit burden concerns

The 2025 Farming Profitability Review highlighted that multiple inspections and audits covering similar ground create significant burden. Currently, data sharing between regulatory bodies and assurance schemes is limited, meaning you may face duplicate checks.

The government has committed to exploring better data sharing and mutual recognition to reduce this burden. In the meantime, keeping excellent records makes all inspections easier, regardless of who conducts them.