The person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted upon by the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently appealed unsuccessfully to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee and was advised of his right to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman. The person named then appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman whom are currently reviewing the file and will notify the person named directly in writing of the outcome.