The Sheep Welfare Scheme was introduced in December 2016 to support the delivery of flock health benefits in the sheep sector. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, applicants to the scheme are required to submit the annual Sheep Census return within the required deadlines. In the case of this application, the Sheep Census return for 2016 was not received within the required deadlines and thus the application for participation in the scheme was not accepted.
The applicants submitted an initial appeal on this decision to the Department. However, this appeal was unsuccessful. The applicants have been advised that they have the option to seek a review of this decision to a higher officer of the Department. There is also a subsequent right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.