Applications from participants in the 2020 Beef Data and Genomics Programme who were deemed eligible to continue their participation in the BDGP 2021 transitional programme could be submitted using the Department’s online facility through www.agfood.ie either by the applicant themselves or by an individual authorised to act on their behalf. The opening date for receipt of applications was 15th December 2020 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 15th January 2021.
Due to the ongoing public health emergency and, in line with guidelines on social distancing, applications were also accepted by means of response to a dedicated SMS text message that issued to all eligible farmers who had agreed to receive SMS text alerts from the Department. This was to facilitate farmers who could either not access the online facility or who were restricted from meeting their agent due to public health guidelines.
There were three separate SMS text messages issued to herdowners by the Department requesting a reply if they wished to extend their participation in BDGP. The first SMS issued on 18th December 2020. The second issued on 8th January 2021 to those who had not yet applied for the rollover of BDGP while the third issued on 12th January 2021 to those who had still not replied.
All three of the persons named were issued letters from the Department in December 2020, informing them that they were eligible to apply for the extension and explaining the application procedure. Department records also show that the three applicants in question were sent SMS messages, but no replies were ever received.
A request for a review of all three applications were received on the 8th March 2021, 30th April 2021 and 14th June 2021. Following completion of the review, letters issued to the persons named on the 29th March 2021, 5th May 2021 and 21st June 2021, to inform them that their review was unsuccessful. The letters also advised the persons named that they retained the right to appeal this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office if they so wished.
