The agriculture appeals office received this appeal on the 16 June 2003. The case was subsequently assigned to an appeals officer for consideration and determination. The appeals officer wrote to the appellant on the 10 July asking him whether he wished to have an oral hearing. The appellant confirmed that he did and expressed a preference for the first or second week in September.
An oral hearing was arranged for the 5 September and this was confirmed with the appellant. Two days before the hearing, the appellant informed the appeals officer that his REPS planner would not be available at that date. He requested a deferral of the hearing to the first or second week in October and this has now been arranged for the 3 October.