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With reference also to its observation, the Committee draws the Government’s attention to the following points.

Application of the Convention to the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira. The Government indicates that the annual inspection report does not cover the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira. It nevertheless provides the legislative texts, information and statistics relating to the inspection activities in these two regions. The Committee therefore notes that the Regulations of the Regional Inspectorate of the Azores adopted in 2001 includes, in accordance with the Regulations of the General Labour Inspectorate, a provision requiring the inspectors to make the information of the results of inspections available to the trade union representatives. It also notes that, in order to benefit from assistance, farmers in the Madeira region must follow sound agronomic practices when using agricultural chemicals, particularly phytopharmaceutical products, as this type of assistance as well as technical assistance is granted to all farmers who request it and that, according to the annual report of the Regional Inspectorate of the autonomous region of the Azores, no measures are taken by the competent authority to promote effective cooperation between the inspection services in agriculture and government services and public or approved institutions which may be engaged in similar activities, in accordance with Article 12, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee trusts that measures will be taken to harmonize the operation of the labour inspectorate, countrywide, both in law and practice, and that the annual inspection report required by Articles 26 and 27 of the Convention will also cover the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores. It requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken to this end together with a copy of the text making the granting of assistance to farmers subject to good agronomic practices.

Article 15, paragraphs 1(b) and 2. The Government is asked to specify the legislation that addresses the reimbursement of the expenses incurred by labour inspectors in the performance of their duty.