Niamh Smyth
Ceist:921. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions a person (details supplied) should take in view of the fact they cannot obtain a herd number due to Covid-19. [5029/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 3 February 2021
Ceisteanna (921)
Freagraí scríofa
The terms and conditions of the Sheep Welfare Scheme provides for new entrants to sheep farming to apply to participate in the scheme. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, a new entrant is defined as an applicant who has applied for a new herd number in the period 1st January to 31st December in the year preceding the scheme year, or an applicant with an existing herd number who has not held or traded in sheep for a two year period up to 31 October preceding the scheme year.
The full terms and conditions for each year of the scheme, detailing the above criteria, are published on my Department’s website each year and are also available on request from the Sheep Welfare Scheme section of my Department. The qualifying criteria for new entrants under the scheme are also announced in the press release issued advising of the opening of the new scheme year.
My Department has continued to issue new herd numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Application forms for a new herd number could be obtained by either contacting the Department Local Office by telephone, email or by downloading the form from the Department’s website.
My Department has now posted a herd number application form to the person named to assist them in applying for a new herd number this year. I have also asked officials from my Department to make direct contact with the person named to discuss the option of submitting an appeal in relation to their participation in the 2021 scheme.